Ward vs. Froch Round-by-Round Recap: Ward Dominates Froch and Wins Super Six

The Super Six World Boxing Classic came to a close tonight with a championship bout between Carl Froch and Andre Ward.  This fight went the distance, but was more entertaining than I anticipated.

Round 1

The fight started off tentatively.  Both fighters clinched and threw very few punches. There was a lot of distance between the two fighters, as each tried to establish their jabs.  Ward’s punches were a bit more accurate.  It was a typical feel-out round.  This round probably went to Ward.

Round 2

The distance between the fighters closed, but both fought well inside.  Ward started to get his left hook working.  Surprisingly, Andre Ward was the aggressor and held to a position at the center of the ring. Froch was hurt in the last 15 seconds by a left hook.  Ward clearly won this round.

Round 3

Froch came out more aggressively, and both fighters traded punches.  Ward really worked the jab to set up rights and left hooks.  Froch started to look confused and out of sorts.  Froch lacked the speed to catch Ward with any shots.  Ward took round three. 

Round 4

Froch tried to come out fast, but got out-worked inside.  Ward’s jab was nonstop and his hands looked heavy.  Ward’s right started to find the mark.  The last minute of the round was fought against the ropes, with Ward trapping Froch.  Ward finished the round with a beautiful combination.  Ward won round four in dominant fashion. 

Round 5

Ward came out fast with a stiff left hook that hurt Carl Froch.  The action was a little slower paced, but Froch tried to pick up the stride.  Unfortunately, Froch looked sloppy and out of control.  Ward connected on several counter punches.  I gave this round to Froch for being the aggressor, but it could have gone either way.

Round 6

Ward started to pick Froch apart with good counter-punching.  Froch landed some right hands, but Ward’s punches looked more accurate.  There was some really good action in the last 30 seconds, but Ward got the best of it.  Froch looked hurt several times.  Ward won this round in the last 30 seconds. 

Round 7

Ward came out strong and closed the distance.  Ward backed up Froch with hard right hands. Froch started to look dejected.  Ward had very good head movement and avoided Froch’s right hand.  Ward kept Froch pinned against the ropes for the final minute.  I would have to give this round to Andre Ward.

Round 8

With distance between the two boxers, Ward slipped in several jabs.  Froch once again got sloppy, throwing a backhand and received a warning from Steve Smoger.  Ward threw hard punches to close the round.  He out-muscled Froch and looked like the stronger fighter.  Froch hit Ward after the bell.  I gave this round to Ward as well. 

Round 9

Andre Ward quickly closed the distance, and seemed angry about the late punch.  Sensing danger, Froch pressed the pace and landed his best punches—but at a cost.  He had to eat a lot of punches to deliver his own.  Ward switched to southpaw and hurt Froch with a left at the bell.  Froch won this round, but absorbed too much punishment in the process.  I might call this a pyrrhic victory.

Round 10

Ward started the round moving and landing left hooks.  There was more clinching in this round, with Ward winning the in-fighting.  It was a close round, but I gave it to ward.  Ward’s left was very accurate.

Round 11

Ward came out as the aggressor, backing up Froch.  The pace slowed down.  Froch looked more desperate as he landed punches to the back of Ward’s head.  Froch stalked Ward, but wasn’t very effective.  I gave this round to Froch for pushing the action.

Round 12

Froch threw punches wildly, knowing he was losing the fight.  Ward was cautious, but fought back in spurts.  Froch left himself open to several left hooks.  Ward did a nice job of evading Froch.  I gave this round to Froch, but he needed to do a lot more to win this fight.

As I predicted in a previous article, Ward won this fight by unanimous decision.  He won this fight with superior boxing and with surprisingly harder punches.  There is no doubt that Andre Ward is a great boxer.  He has an exquisite all-around boxing game. Ward not only dominated this fight, but the entire Super Six tournament.