As the fight wore on, Ward unexpectedly fought on the inside - roughing up the taller and, supposedly, heavier handed Green. Once he discovered a style that frustrated Green, he stuck with it. By the later rounds, Green seemed more like a sparring partner that a title contender as he absorbed punishment but never displayed any urgency to try to turn the fight around with one big punch. In the end, Ward retained his WBA super middleweight belt with a literal shutout, with all three judges scoring the fight 120-108.
Showtime introduced a new punch stat in the fight - combos landed - and while any such stats are fairly subjective, it was telling that they showed Ward outlanding Green by a margin of 42 to 6.
With the win, Ward clinches a spot in the Super Six semi-finals. His next bout is against Andre Dirrell. Green, who replaced Jermain Taylor in the tournament, faces Mikkel Kessler next.
One other note, 41-year-old Showtime analyst Antonio Tarver announced he's moving up to heavyweight and warned the Klitschko brothers and David Haye that he's coming for their title belts. Trading fake punches with Sylvester Stallone while playing a heavyweight in the most recent Rocky movie is one thing, but getting in the ring with one of the Klitschkos? Bad idea.


Comments
I’m usually verbose but I don’t think it’s needed here…
The performance by Green was pathetic and embarrassing. I like the way Ward is coming out of his shell.
As for Tarver moving to heavy. At least he’s a personality for the heavyweight division, but the Klitscho brothers will pick him apart. I would like to see him get knocked out though so go for it Tarver!
Ben has it just right. Ward/Green was a non-fight; Green simply did nothing. He showed little or no movement, could not get anything started, and simply did not fight. This was the absolute worst performance of the tournament and it is not likely that Green will be able to do much with a newly energized Kessler next time out. Besides, I doubt if there will be much enthusiasm for the fight.
Tarver -vs- Bad Boy Bernard Hopkins would SELL I BET YOU!!!!