Andre Ward-Andre Dirrell friendship not uncommon boxing reality
This weekend the boxing world was supposed to be treated to a bout that would determine the WBC and WBA super middleweight champion of the world. Yet for reasons unknown, Andre Dirrell vs Andre Ward was
postponed to27 November.
One speculated reason for the failure of the bout at its original date is that promoters were unable to find a venue for the fight (contracted to be in the United States). But surely this explanation
would be more accurately accepted by saying ‘secure’ rather than ‘find’. It is obviously promoters could have found a venue, and likely did, though financial terms may not have been reached with venue owners.
More plausible, though, is a rumour going around that the two, Dirrell and Ward, had an active hand in delaying due to their mutual desires not to fight. The reason is that Dirrell and Ward have long
been close friends (as documented on Showtime’s Fight Camp 360, the behind-the-scenes documentary on the Super Six tournament). If this is true it gets at a potential problem that cuts through the middle of the sport. When, if ever, does friendship get in
the way of professionalism? Can the ethics of friendship ever coincide with those of business?
Of course, the notion of friends getting into the ring has a glorious historical precedent. In March 1991 friends Maurice Blocker and Simon Brown put on the gloves to unify the WBC and IBF welterweight
titles. It was well known that they were friends—best friends—and that their families had often enough broken bread together. But still they gave it their all, with Brown finally knocking out Blocker in the tenth round. Whether the bout damaged the friendship
in the future is unclear.
There’s also Evander Holyfield-Henry Tillman story. These fighters roomed together in preparation for the 1984 Olympics, and eventually had to fight after Holyfield captured the WBA crown. Kathy Duva
of Main Events Promotions, who promoted Holyfield at the time, confirmed and even said: "In fact, the fight took place on Valentine’s Day and Evander was scheduled to be a groomsman in Henry's wedding, which I believe took place about six weeks later in April.”
All the same, Holyfield pummelled Tillman for seven rounds until it was stopped. Duva recalled what Holyfield’s response was, when asked about his friendship with Tillman and its bearing on the fight.
“Evander, when he was asked that question, said, 'Listen, this is my job. This is a sport. If I play basketball against my brother, I try harder than I do against a stranger. You want to beat your brother. This is just a sport; it's a game. The minute the
bell rings, I've got to try to win because I always want to win. And when the bell rings and the fight’s over, he'll still be my friend.'"
Given this animated history, all evidences points to something of a letdown between Dirrell and Ward. For starters, neither of these boxers, especially not Dirrell, have demonstrated the kind of ferocity
that would be necessary to make a good bout. These two seem to put friendship before business arrangements, when history has depicted the opposite.
As well, fighting styles, even if spirits aren’t intact, isn’t conducive. Dirrell doesn’t fight much to begin with; his style could be described more as treading and retreating, trying to land some shouts
and stay out of the line of fire. That being the case, one can only hope it won’t be compounded against a friend.
At the same time, competition often brings out the best and the worse in friends simultaneously. Perhaps Ward will ignite a fire in Dirrell, and the two will participate in a genuine demonstration of
blood and guts and glorious sportsmanship. If they ever step into the ring.
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