During 2013 and 2014, a fight between boxers Andre Ward and Gennady Golovkin was thought to be one of the most anticipated fights in the sport of boxing.

With Andre Ward seemingly clearing out the super middleweight (168 pounds) division, and Gennady Golovkin lacking any real challenge at middleweight (160 pounds) it seemed imminent that the two fighters would face off at some point.

Both fighters fought under the HBO banner, making the fight an even bigger possibility.

However, the two fighters would fail to ever meet, with constant disagreements about weight and money being the main causes of their failed fight.

Golovkin would go on to dominate the middleweight division for years to come (and is currently preparing for a massive fight against Canelo Alvarez in September)  and Andre Ward would end up moving up to light heavyweight, eventually retiring undefeated.

But had they met in 2014 at the peak of their careers, who would have came away with the victory ?

Gennady Golovkin :

Or Andre Ward :

According to John’s Boxing gym trainer, Coach Kano,  Golovkin would have came away as the victor.

“There’s a difference between guys who box , and guys who fight. Golovkin is a fighter,” said Kano.

“You need to realize, Golovkin’s footwork , especially in 2014, was unmatched. His ability to cut off the ring is amazing. He would have cut the ring off on Ward and attacked the body relentlessly. Ward had a good jab that he used to keep fighters off him. The only problem is , Golovkin had an even better jab.”

“Andre Ward was a smart fighter , don’t get me wrong, but his style did not match up well with Golovkin, and he never had the punching power to really put doubt in him or stop his constant pressure, “stated Kano.

“If I had to put some money on that , I think Golovkin gets him out of there within 10 rounds.”

Long time boxing fan, David Olea believes the fight would have gone differently.

“I think Ward would have schooled him . He’s fought guys with similar styles to Golovkin like Mikkel Kessler and Carl Froch. “

“Golovkin would have cut of the ring early on, but Ward would have adapted. I believe he would have started blasting body punches to take away Golovkin’s pressure,” said Olea.

“There’s a reason Golovkin’s team wanted to Ward to drop down in weight to fight, that would have been their only chance to win. ”

“Ward’s fight iq, body punches, and experience fighting elite level guys for a long time would have won him that fight. Ward wins that fight by unanimous decision. Easy,” claimed Olea.

With Golovkin preparing for a blockbuster showdown against Canelo Alvarez later this year , and Ward seemingly retired ( although rumors suggest he may come back to fight in the heavyweight division ), Golovkin-Ward is a fight the boxing world missed out on, but the debates about who would have won will continue for years to come.