PREDICTION PAGE: Andre Ward-Carl Froch

Andre Ward and Carl Froch both made weight on Friday, ahead of their Saturday clash at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

The Oakland-based Ward was 168 on the dot, while the Brit Froch was 167 1/2.

TSS Universe, please tell us what you think will go down in AC. Do you see Ward as being a bit better athlete, as being blessed a bit more with better reflexes, which will serve him both offensively and defensively? Do you like his rounds one through twelve focus, his not-overly-scintillating, but always on-message manner in the ring? Ward (24-0 with 13 KOs) usually doesn’t rip off more than three punches in a combo, he isn’t prone to doing too much, to leave himself open to making a mistake. Many folks think he’ll have to make a mistake for Froch (28-1 with 20 KOs) to capitalize on, for the Brit to exit AC with a win.

Many figure Ward is the better boxer, but that Froch could carry the day with a power edge. Does he have a substantial power edge over Ward,  though? He hasn’t scored a stoppage since 2009, when he scored a late TKO over Jermain Taylor. Froch didn’t stop Andre Dirrell, Mikkel Kessler, Arthur Abraham or Glen Johnson, so does his 69% to 54% KO ratio edge over Ward really resonate with you? Do you see him landing that crisp right cross on Ward, who is a most capable defender, who never forgets to duck and slip?

I do think this fight has the capacity to have some chippy moments. Ward is adept at clinching and the like to interrupt a foe’s floe. I expect him to do that if and when Froch gets feisty and scores with some combos. But Froch is a stubborn bugger. He can eat a mean shot.

TSS Universe, will this one approach the Amir Khan-Lamont Peterson fight in drama and quality? Will Ward allow Froch, or can Froch dictate, the amount of freedom and volume to force the fight?

Drop a prediction in our Forum, and check back fightnight for coverage.

Here are the rest of the weights for the fighters on the show:

KELL BROOK (148 lbs) vs. LUIS GALARZA (147 1/2 lbs)

CORNELIUS WHITE (173 lbs) vs. YORDANIS DESPAIGNE (174 1/2 lbs)

EDISON MIRANDA (175 lbs) vs. KARIZ KARIUKI (174 1/2 lbs)

 DONNELL HOLMES (226 lbs) vs. BOWIE TUPOU (242 lbs)

 DANIEL LUGO (152 1/2 lbs) vs. BOYD MELSON (155 1/2 lbs)

JOHN LENNOX (224 1/2 lbs) vs. JEREMIAH WITHERSPOON (TBA lbs)