HBO Fight Preview

Andre Ward vs. Alexander Brand

It now seems that Andre Ward is a full-time light heavyweight fighter.  For the third time Ward will fight in that division, this time against Alexander Brand who typically fights as a super middleweight, Ward's old division.  Ward and Brand are scheduled to go 12 rounds on HBO but most fans are looking past this fight and to the fall.  That is when Ward is set to take on Sergey Kovalev, with the fight against Brand being his last tuneup before that mega-fight.

This will be Ward's last fight before Kovalev

Ranked by Big Time Boxing as the fifth best pound-for-pound in the world, Ward fights out of the orthodox stance.  He is one of the smartest fighters in the sport and will typically pick opponents apart over the course of 12 rounds.  Ward likes to fight behind his jab which he finds equal success with upstairs or to the body.  Behind that jab Ward will throw a straight right hand that is probably his best punch, although he also has a strong left hook.  Ward usually like to control things from the outside but from the pocket he lands uppercuts well and has no issues working from the pocket.  Some have speculated that Ward's legs aren't what they used to be.  He was never ultra slick but he is very good defensively and usually ends a fight looking like he only took a few punches.

There is no doubt that Ward is one of the nest fighters in the sport.  He cleaned out the super middleweight division and so far has had no problems against bigger fighters at light heavyweight, although to be fair he has been fighting lesser opposition.  During his career Ward has put together a perfect record of 29-0 with 15 knockouts.  During his perfect run Ward has beaten fighters such as Chad Dawson, Carl Froch, Arthur Abraham, and Mikkel Kessler.  While Brand is nowhere near the level of those fighters Ward still needs to be careful not to overlook his opponent as he turns his attention to Kovalev in the fall.  

A Brand win would be a major upset

Brand is an orthodox fighter with an awkward style and he likes to keep both hands low.  Brand will use his jab as a measuring stick for his straight right hand, but he telegraphs that right hand by loading up before he throws it.  The Colombian fighter will also throw a check left hook but he often does so backing up so it losses some of its pop.  Brand doesn't have very fast hands but what he does have is a ton of nervous energy and he never seems to stop moving.

Most of Brand's career has been spent fighting in his native Columbia.  Colombia isn't known for producing many high level fighters and the fighters that do come out of that country are usually big punchers who lack sharp skills.  Brand's career record is 25-1 with 19 knockouts but his only notable opponent was Badou Jack and he lost to Jack via split decision.

It would be shocking and throw a real wrench in the sport if Brand were to upset Ward.  Not only would it be Ward's first career loss but it would derail his upcoming fall bout against Kovalev.  The problem for Brand is that Ward is better in all areas of the sport.  If the fight takes place on the outside Ward has the faster hands are is the sharper puncher so he can pick Brand apart.  On the inside the shorter punches of Ward would beat Brand's wide punches to the spot and Brand would find himself in trouble.  Really this fight is all about how good Ward looks as people begin to discuss the possibility of him beat Kovalev.

PREDICTION: The only real question in this fight is whether or not it will go the distance.  Andre Ward is a much better fighter than Alexander Brand and he should have no problem winning this fight.  One thing Brand has going for him is the fact that he has never been knocked out or even down so he will see the final bell but Ward will win with a wide unanimous decision and he may even pitch a shutout.

Maurice Hooker vs. Tyrone Barnett

The co-feature for Saturday's HBO card will feature prospect Maurice Hooker.  Hooker will take on Tyrone Barnett is a fight scheduled to go 10 rounds in the junior welterweight division.  This will be a very big stage for both men but especially for the 26-year-old Hooker who is still looking to climb the ladder from prospect to contender status.  That ladder would get a lot easier to climb if Hooker can impress on Saturday night.

Hooker will be looking to make a statement

Hooker is a lanky orthodox fighter who likes to fight behind a long jab.  Along with that jab Hooker has a very awkward looking left hook that can do damage when it lands.  His best punch though is probably his right hand.  That right hand can land from a safe distance and can do serious damage if it lands clean.  Hooker definitely still has room to improve but if he is the prospect some think he is than he should be able to handle Barnett.

In recent fights Hooker has faced some average to slightly above average but so far most of his wins have come against less than average opponents.  His career record is 20-0-2 with 15 knockouts and those two draws came very early in his career.  Barnett will definitely have an edge when it comes to professional experience but that will be something Hooker needs to overcome.

Barnett has always been vulnerable to the KO

Barnett is a 33-year-old orthodox fighter whose chin is very vulnerable.  Barnett has four career losses and all four have come via the knockout.  Barnett does have a solid jab and a nice straight right hand but he doesn't throw much else.  He also has a bad habit of backing straight up defensively which is probably one of the reasons he has been knocked out so often.  Barnett is probably a crisper puncher than Hooker who can get a little wild but it is Hooker who has the heavier punches.

While Barnett has never faced any elite opponents he has faced some solid veterans.  They include Cosme Rivera, Mercito Gesta, and Andrey Klimov.  However, Barnett has always lost to those better opponents and even if he is ahead on the cards there is always a chance he could get knocked out.  Barnett's career record stands at 23-4-1 with 15 knockouts and he will need to be sharp on defense if he wants to beat Hooker.

On paper this is a fairly even bout.  That is because Hooker has never faced any notable opponents and while Barnett isn't notable he does have more experience than Hooker which could come in handy.  This is a big opportunity for Hooker and he needs to remain calm and fight his fight.  As for Barnett this could be his last high profile fight so look for him to be a bit more aggressive than usual.

PREDICTION: This may not be the prettiest fight and the early rounds should look sloppy and slow.  Eventually though both Maurice Hooker and Tyrone Barnett will begin to open up and both will eat their fair share of clean punches.  However, Hooker is the bigger puncher and eventually he will catch Barnett and stop him in the eighth round.