Standing atop the 168lb world seems like a great position to be in, but if you are Andre ward, it may leave you without a dance partner. Not only has S.O.G. won, he has usually done so in dominant fashion. Some have run from this, like Lucian Bute... who was brutally KO'd by Carl Froch, then abandoned the division entirely, and some have stepped up (or down), like Chad Dawson. However, injuries have bought him time. It is the wrong kind in his case I'm sure, as it cost him an easy fight for big money against Kelly Pavlik, but it has allowed for the division to sort itself out a bit.
The time has done nothing, however, but develop a line of people he has already beaten. DeGale, Groves, and Oosthuizen are interesting challenges, but are they big enough fights for the number 2 pound for pound fighter in the world? Hardly. At least not yet. Hopkins would be a big fight, but it would add nothing to Ward's legacy. Not to mention Hopkins wants nothing to do with Ward. There is nothing exciting happening at 175 right now, either, especially considering Ward vanquished the division kingpin. So, now it's time to look at possible challenges... the realistic ones, anyway.
Carl Froch
I know, there first fight was not close, but Froch has avenged his only other defeat, and destroyed the number one contender at the time in Kessler and Bute, respectively. He is the only other name and money man in the division. Going to the UK would be scorecard suicide, as he was almost screwed right here in the US when he fought Froch. Unless Ward can establish a rider that includes him picking the referee and judges, it is not worth the gamble. His options are thin besides, but can be interesting.
Gennady Golovkin / Sergio Martinez
They exist as one, because either Sergio will have to retire, or Golovkin move up in order for this fight not to happen. GGG and maravilla will likely tangle in the next 12 months, and the winner will have no one truly interesting at 160lbs. The victor will also be outgrowing the division if it is GGG, and need to move up. This is a bit down the line, but if I were Sergio, I'd fight Ward before Golovkin. No one would blame him for losing, and it would be a less painful loss than to GGG. Also, should Sergio win, it would be a huge win for his career, which may not be said if he dispatches Golvokin. GGG will likely be dismissed as a durable robot, if he loses to Martinez.
Andre Dirrell
He needs a bit of rebuilding, it's true, but Dirrell could sneak in with a few decent wins. He'd make a perfect optional defense for Bika or Perriban, whoever wins the belt that was unjustly stripped from Ward... then Ward could be in a position to recapture all the main belts with wins over Froch and Dirrell. It is also a battle that pits Olympic teammates, and is a reschedule of a cancelled match as well. Any big fight between non-Latino Americans is rare these days, and if took place post-Froch for the undisputed title, all the better.
Chris Strait
www.convictedartist.com