Chad Dawson vs. Andre Ward
Media Day Quotes & Videos
Undefeated WBA, WBC and RING super middleweight world
champion Andre "SOG'' Ward (25-0, 13 KOs) and WBC and RING
light heavyweight titleholder "Bad" Chad Dawson (31-1, 17
KOs) both held open media workouts this week from their
respective training camps in Oakland, CA and Las Vegas, NV.
Media attendees were given the opportunity to watch training
and ask the fighters questions about their upcoming
September 8 "WORLD CHAMPIONS-MADE IN AMERICA."
SPECIAL NOTE: Both fighters will participate in an
international media conference call next Tuesday, September
28 starting at 3:00pm ET/Noon PT.
Can you tell us how you're feeling physically, spiritually
and mentally with just a few weeks away?
"I'm in great spirits. The weight is coming off, as you can
see I'm real slim (smiling). Mentally, physically everything
is on point. I'm excited to be in a big fight like this. I'm
excited that the fight is approaching fast. Everything is
just great right now"
You've been in big fights before, is this fight with Andre
Ward at the top?
"I would say this is at the top because the magnitude of the
fight. You got two young guys, both champions in our
divisions. The only difference is I'm going down to his
division and challenging him for his title. I look at it
like a big challenge for me due to the fact that I have to
lose an extra seven pounds to get down to 168. So it's a
challenge for me and it's a challenge I'm looking forward
to. The weight is good and I left the gym yesterday weighing
in at 176 pounds. I feel great."
Andre has been getting a lot of notoriety as being a pound
for pound fighter, so how do you feel about fighting a guy
like that?
"He's still just another fighter. I understand the fact that
he won a gold medal and he has a great amateur background,
but this is the pros. He's never been in there with a
fighter like me. I don't care what the media says or what
people say, he's never been in the ring with a fighter like
me. On September 8th he's going to see something different
in there, something he's never seen before."
Andre Ward Media Day Quotes & Videos:
What's it like to fight back in Oakland?
"It's always great to be home. A lot of people think it's a
given when you fight at home, like it's an easy thing, but
it's not. There's a lot of pressure, but good pressure when
you fight at home to defend the house. I consider Oracle
Arena my house and the Bay Area as a whole my house. I'm
doing what I always do and I'm preparing well and I want to
put on a great show for the fans.
What motivates you as a champion?
"What motivates me is first and foremost, my understanding
that God gave me a something. When God gives you a gift and
a talent you can be whatever. I'm a natural competitor that
loves to compete and I'm striving for greatness. I don't
believe I'm there yet and I got a lot of work to do. God
willing I have a few more years left in the game but I want
to be great. And if one day I could be considered great, and
have a hall of fame career, I want to look back and say it's
a job well done."
What are your thoughts on fighting Chad Dawson?
"It's a tough fight for both men. Not just me dealing with
Chad Dawson, but Chad Dawson dealing with me and vice versa.
That's the beauty of the fight and it sells itself because
you got two young guys who are well decorated in terms of
our accomplishments, and we're literally putting it all on
the line at the peak of our careers. I don't think anyone
can ask for anything more than that."
"Ward vs. Dawson - World Champions - Made In America''
Andre Ward vs. Chad Dawson World Championship showdown, set
to take place September 8 at the Oracle Arena in Oakland,
California. The co-feature will see WBC Champion Antonio
DeMarco battle John "The Gladiator" Molina Jr. in a 12-round
fight for the WBC Lightweight title. Both bouts will be
televised live on HBO® World Championship Boxing at 9:45
p.m. ET/PT.
The event is promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions in
association with Gary Shaw Promotions in association with
Antonio Leonard Productions and SOG Promotions and sponsored
by Corona, City of Oakland, Azad Watches and 95.7 The Game.
Tickets priced at $300, $200, $100, $75, $50 and $25 and are
available for purchase online at
www.oraclearena.com,
www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available at the
ORACLE Arena box office.