By Walt White: Oakland’s Oracle Arena was the site for the public workout before the Super Middleweight fight between Edison Miranda( 32-3, 28 KO) vs Olympic Gold Medalist Andre Ward(18-0,12 KO) Saturday, May 16th. The Goossen Tutor Promotions in association with Leonard Productions and Seminole Warriors Boxing fight will be broadcast on a prime time edition of ShoBox: The New Generation at 9PM ET/PT and will be the highlight of a big night of fights. Andre Ward will be fighting in his backyard and had some stern words for the press and opposition Both fighters showed up to sign autographs and answer a few brief questions from the press and public.
“Tell everybody this fights not going more than 10 rounds” said Miranda as he arrived for the open workout Tuesday May 12th.. “This fight will put Miranda back where he belongs at the top of the Super Middleweight division.” said Miranda’s assistant Rudy Vargas. “He’s the guy nobody wants to fight, Ward can’t say he’s broken anyone’s jaw in a fight but Miranda can” Vargas continued. “He is the top Middleweight in the world and breaks jaws, knocks fighters through rings”, said Vargas.
The Boxing Don: “Given the fact Andre Ward has very, very good defense and technical skills, will we see a more defensive minded Miranda being a bit cautious early or will Miranda just throw everything he has against the wall?”
Rudy Vargas: “Miranda’s defense has improved and he’s got some new surprises and tricks in the bag. “Miranda doesn’t change his style, which is to go in and try to get the match over as quick as possible.” “Fighter’s that stand in front of Miranda get knocked out.”
The Boxing Don: “Any plans for making another run at a title shot if you get past Ward?”
Miranda: “After this fight, God has a plan I will follow!”
The Boxing Don: “How do you plan to cope with the advantage Ward has fighting in his own backyard?”
Miranda: “It doesn’t matter where we fight, because when we step in the ring it will just be me and Ward, not the whole town of Oakland.” “After the first round Andre Ward’s hometown fans will be screaming, Miranda….Miranda….”
Andre Ward: “I don’t have to be negative, I’m a classy individual but I’m very fierce in the ring and will take care of business like I always do”
Andre Ward: “I’m fired up, don’t take the humility or the meekness for weakness!”
The Boxing Don: “Are we going to see a good balance in your fighting style since you are in your hometown because many people want to see the boxing technician we all know and love coupled with that fire?”
Andre Ward: “Absolutely, thats what your going to see.” “You see a little of everything when I fight and people have tried to put a cap on my style but I don’t think they can.” “I’m going to handle my business and do whatever I have to do to come away with that win!”
The Boxing Don: “Are you looking for an immediate title shot if you defeat Miranda in this bout?”
Andre Ward: “The winner of this fight will be in line for a title shot as I understand.” “A mandatory spot so this is huge. I want those belts really bad and I want to bring them back to the city of Oakland but first I’ve got to defend my home turf on May 16th against Miranda.”
The Boxing Don: Your stepping up in class against Miranda and everyone wants to see if you have a tough side.” “Which Andre Ward will we see in the ring Saturday May 16th in Oakland?”
Andre Ward: “Tune in or buy a ticket, you don’t get this far without being tough.” “Those kinds of questions are why I’m so excited about this fight because, when you win a certain way it looks easy.” “People think you haven’t been tested or think that your not tough but you don’t have to talk tough to be tough, so just tune in and buy a ticket and we’ll talk after the fight and we’ll see what kinds of questions you have then.”
Dan Goosen: “This is Oakland and only one thing is going to happen on Saturday May 16th, it’s going to be Andre Ward’s Day!” “Even though today he was given the proclamation by the Mayor of Oakland it will not come into effect until Saturday.” “After Saturday Andre Ward will declare himself the elite 168 pound fighter in the world!” “It’s a dangerous fight, he has a man in front of him that has only 3 losses and one of them you can certainly argue wasn’t a loss. I was there and saw Arthur Abraham’s jaw, the benefits of fighting in Abraham’s home country and I think that Miranda won that fight. I also saw the back and forth match with Pavlik, so yes Miranda is dangerous…but so is Andre Ward.” “When people didn’t think he would win Gold in the Olympics, he was the ONLY one to win Gold. He knows how to climb these mountains and show the naysayers.” “May 16th will be Andre Ward’s day.”