[Fitz]

Calzaghe didn't fight in his hometown either on a regular basis, just different parts in the UK. I suppose it didn't matter that Calzaghe never left Europe, because technically, he wasn't fighting at 'home' either?

[E-DUBB]

Originally Posted by Fitz

Calzaghe didn't fight in his hometown either on a regular basis, just different parts in the UK. I suppose it didn't matter that Calzaghe never left Europe, because technically, he wasn't fighting at 'home' either?

calzaghe fought in wales 17 times and had 11 title defenses there..

[Rhyme 4 Rhyme]

Dawson gave up a lot of the bargaining power when he called him out after the Hopkins fight. It was less a call out, more of a request. Told him he'd come down in weight for him and obviously accepted a fight in Oakland. Shouldn't waste his time complaining. Despite being the challenger, he's a legit threat.

By the way, I'm rooting for Dawson all the way.

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by E-DUBB

calzaghe fought in wales 17 times and had 11 title defenses there..

I'm aware of that, but I was speaking with another poster, as he claimed that Ward doesn't fight at home because not all of his fights have been in 'Oakland'.
I was merely making a point that technically, Calzaghe didn't fight at home either, because he also didn't fight in his 'hometown' all the time.
I was trying to make a point, using the same logic applied to Ward apparently not fighting at home.

[Dr. Sweet Science]

Originally Posted by Fitz

I'm aware of that, but I was speaking with another poster, as he claimed that Ward doesn't fight at home because not all of his fights have been in 'Oakland'.
I was merely making a point that technically, Calzaghe didn't fight at home either, because he also didn't fight in his 'hometown' all the time.
I was trying to make a point, using the same logic applied to Ward apparently not fighting at home.

I see your point, but the two countries have a completely different dynamic when it comes to boxing. Calzaghe can box on either end of the country near the end of his career because he was the best British fighter out there with very little competition next to Froch. America on the otherhand has a more diverse and and variety of top notch fighters...which means that his "home court advantage" is not a whole country for Ward and has to share a fraction of the limelight with other American fighters like Mayweather, Hopkins, Bradley, etc. It's totally different. But as I said before, I don't think its that Ward doesn't want to leave Cali more than the fact that he doesn't have a reason to. He calls the shots in the SMW now and he has his biggest fan base in Oaktown...but to be honest this fight is more suited for Vegas.

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by Dr. Sweet Science

I see your point, but the two countries have a completely different dynamic when it comes to boxing. Calzaghe can box on either end of the country near the end of his career because he was the best British fighter out there with very little competition next to Froch. America on the otherhand has a more diverse and and variety of top notch fighters...which means that his "home court advantage" is not a whole country for Ward and has to share a fraction of the limelight with other American fighters like Mayweather, Hopkins, Bradley, etc. It's totally different. But as I said before, I don't think its that Ward doesn't want to leave Cali more than the fact that he doesn't have a reason to. He calls the shots in the SMW now and he has his biggest fan base in Oaktown...but to be honest this fight is more suited for Vegas.

I see your point, but there is so much more to it than that when it comes to fighting overseas. Bad decisions happy in the UK, Australia, Germany, USA etc. Sturm can say the same thing about going to America. It's boxing, these happen in all parts of the world.
All other fighters make sacrifices that really test them mentally as well. How does a fighter (this applies for anyone) handle fighting in a different environment? With a different crowd? The travelling? Breaking past winning 'routines' by perhaps having to adjust to time or training in an unfamiliar place in the weeks leading up to the fight, maybe parting with family?
There are so many mental tests and questions a fighter may have to answer and deal with when they make travel. They may not even be issues to most, though some still don't always handle the change very well. I just don't think Ward has that 'star' power where they must happen there. I think in the S6 which was the tournament he made his 'breakout' in, the chance was there for him to make that sacrifice and fight in Europe, just like every other fighter in the tournament took that chance to fight in someone elses home.

[BigDave330]

Andre Ward has said many times he doesnt like to lose. So that tells you hes gonna do everything he can to keep himself in a comfort zone so he can keep winning.He also brings his family just about everywhere he goes.Fighting outisde of California has its distractions.In Oracle Arena its 90% Ward fans.

[Dr. Sweet Science]

Originally Posted by BigDave330

Andre Ward has said many times he doesnt like to lose. So that tells you hes gonna do everything he can to keep himself in a comfort zone so he can keep winning.He also brings his family just about everywhere he goes.Fighting outisde of California has its distractions.In Oracle Arena its 90% Ward fans.

It's not about being in his "comfort zone"...he has the mentality that I'm the olympic gold medalist...I'm the world champ...I'm the king of 168...I'm one of the top P4P fighters in the world...if you want to fight me and for my title, you have to agree to my terms. And from what I'm hearing, Dawson is being paid very handsomely for this fight...

I agree with most of you all, it would be great to see Ward fight outside of his home state or even the country, but he's not the type of fighter that folds if he's fighting in enemy territory. He could be fighting on Mars and would still find a way to beat a 3 headed Martian senseless...

[Intellectual 1]

Bottom line...Ward and Calzaghe are apples and oranges. Calzaghe's career was a facade at best....Ward is working on something special regardless if its "at home" or not.

[beatdown89]

Ward typical pussy. but he will win.