by James Slater – As has been reported by top scribe Dan Rafael over at ESPN.com, 2004 gold medal winning Olympian Andre Ward, currently unbeaten as a 18-0(12) super-middleweight, will face the toughest test of his pro career when he will meet Edison “Pantera” Miranda on May 16th. The 25-year-old, who has not been as active as he’d have liked due to injuries, is really taking things up a notch by agreeing to take on the fearsome Colombian banger.
At 32-3(28), the 28-year-old who has been in with the likes of Kelly Pavlik and Arthur Abraham (twice) just might be too big a puncher for Ward. For though he has been exposed a little at world title level, Miranda remains ultra-dangerous due to the power he has in his fists.
Ward’s promoter, Dan Goossen, spoke to ESPN about the upcoming crossroads fight.
“This fits into our plan of having Andre fight for that world title by the end of the year,” Goossen said. “Miranda is the kind of contender who will be a barometer for Andre to show the world that he is ready for that next step. We think it’s a tremendous match-up.”
Goossen went on to say that although his fighter has only had 18 fights since turning pro back in December of 2004, Ward is a “seasoned veteran.”
“Andre has only 18 fights but maturity-wise, he’s had 26 fights,” Goossen said. “I believe he’s a seasoned veteran right now and ready for the next level of a fight with someone like Edison Miranda, who is dangerous and confident. You know Edison won’t stop running his mouth either about how he’s going to knock Andre Ward out.”
Miranda is a top contender when it comes to the king of the trash-talkers, that’s for sure. Will Ward be able to ignore “Pantera’s” taunts, or will he let the former world title challenger get under his skin? The intriguing bout set for Oakland, California (Ward’s home town) will definitely answer some questions – as Miranda promoter Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing agrees.
“It’s a crossroads fight,” Margules said. “I think Miranda is a better puncher, so it will be interesting to see what happens when they hit each other. But it’s a great challenge for both guys. We’re going to find out how good Andre Ward is and we will find out how much Miranda still has in the tank.”
ESPN reports that the scheduled 12-rounder will be televised on “ShoBox: The New Generation.”