Andre Ward dispels rumours about him and Andre Dirrell sabotaging fight
WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward has opened up to Maxboxing.com, stating that he and Andre Ward were not in cahoots to avoid their November 27 Super Six fight.
Doubts arose recently when Andre Dirrell, preparing for a bout with Ward, suddenly pulled out of the tournament and cited neurological problems as the reason for the drop out.
Many speculated that because he and Ward are good friends and former U.S. Olympic teammates, a behind-doors agreement was made to avoid the fight at all costs.
Dirrell is the third participant of the Super Six to withdraw, though his withdrawal is the first to inspire far-reaching speculation.
Previously, Jermain Taylor pulled out of the competition after suffering a devastating knock out at the hands of Arthur Abraham, and Mikkel Kessler willingly opted out due to a severe eye injury.
Ward said, “My position has always been, and I said this on ‘Fight Camp 360', that, ‘yeah, this guy [Dirrell] is a friend of mine. And yeah we have a history together.’ But my position has always been that we knew what we were getting into when he signed
the contract. So I am ready to roll. Of course, with the new developments this last week, it shocked everyone. And once again, nobody knew that was going to happen.”
“I haven’t even talked to Dirrell. Last time I [saw] or talked to Dirrell was June 19, when I fought Alan Green. At the press conference. Very last time. I just think that [the rumours weren’t] accurate. A lot of times these reliable sources aren’t too
reliable, because the information was false. I would never try to get out of the fight. Never try to not adhere to my contract. Nothing like that. Wasn’t even close.”
Ward has enjoyed wide success in the Super Six tournament, more than any other single fighter, and for his achievements he is the WBA champion. Going into the tournament, Ward was an underdog and relatively unproven as an American fighter.
Today, he stands out as one of the top five American fighters in the world.
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