Andre Ward relishing chance to shine against Sullivan Barrera
Tuesday 22 March 2016 14:02, UK
Andre Ward feels he is ready to reach his peak ahead of his light-heavyweight debut against Sullivan Barrera on Saturday.
The American (28-0-KO15) was rarely troubled in the ring as a super-middleweight but suffered the frustration of inactivity due to contract disputes and injuries.
As he prepares to take his bow at 175lbs in front of his home fans in Oakland, Ward told boxingscene.com: "When I was off, I cared about the sport. I commentated. I stayed in the gym. Days when I didn't want to be there, I stayed in the gym.
"It seemed like you're wasting your time but then when you get the phone call that it was all done and resolved, then you see the results and all the fruits of your labour.
I hope I'm getting better. I'm very hard on myself personally .
"That's been the key over the last couple of years. Just keep hammering away. Just stay in the gym and keep working your craft and then you'll see the fruit later on down the road."
Barrera's trainer, Abel Sanchez, recently suggested Ward would find life tough up a division - but the 32-year-old believes he has made the necessary adjustments.
He said: "I hope I'm getting better. I'm very hard on myself personally but looking at my performances in the gym and different things like that, given the lay-offs, I'm pleased.
"It could always be better, but I feel like I'm in the middle of my prime right now. Not looking behind too much, really just focused on my future and I like what I'm seeing in the gym. I like what I'm seeing in my fights.
"I just think I'm evolving in to a more mature fighter. You look at a 20-year-old Floyd and he's moving all over the ring and then you see Floyd in his 30s and he's moving just enough. That's the zone I'm getting into right now."
Ward was last in action in June 2015 when he stopped Liverpool's Paul Smith in the ninth round.
