Ward out to prove himself

Andre Ward struck gold at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Al Tielemans/SI Chris Mannix's Mailbag Submit a comment or question for Chris. Name: Email: Hometown: Question: SEND Follow Chris Mannix on Twitter

Andre Ward's young career has been a series of firsts. There was his first Olympic gold medal in 2004, an accomplishment that put him in elite company with Cassius Clay, Leon Spinks and Evander Holyfield as the only U.S. gold medalists in the light heavyweight class.

There was his first professional paycheck, which he received after knocking out Chris Molina in '04.

There was his first significant injury, a torn ligament in his left thumb that cost Ward seven months in 2006.

Recently, Ward experienced a first that few athletes or stars will ever get: he had a day named in his honor. Praising Ward's "unwavering desire and compassion for the prize fighting profession, as well as his strength as an ambassador to the sport, serving as a role model to millions of young men and women in Oakland and beyond," Mayor Ron Dellums declared May 11 "Andre Ward Day" in the city.

And, on Saturday, Ward (18-0) will face another first. For the first time in his career he will face a high-profile opponent when he takes on power punching Columbian Edison Miranda (Showtime, 9 p.m.) in a super middleweight showdown in Oakland. A win over Miranda (32-3), a former title contender who has been in the ring with Kelly Pavlik and Arthur Abraham, would set Ward up for another first: a shot at one of the recognized 168-pound champions.

"Big fight," said Ward. "Biggest fight of my career."

So what about Ward's career? With a gold medal and, as many in the game believe, enormous amounts of potential, the young brawler has yet to meet expectations as a pro. His resume is wholly unimpressive, filled with opponents like Francisco Diaz, Rubin Williams and Henry Buchanan. His wins have, at times, been spectacular (he has knocked out 66 percent of his opponents), but with most of his fights taking place in obscure California venues, no one has been around to see it.

Ward understands the criticism. He knows fans want him to be like Oscar De La Hoya or Floyd Mayweather -- fighters who used the Olympics as a springboard to early success. But Ward points to Jermain Taylor and Jeff Lacy, former Olympians who needed a few years of seasoning before finding their footing in the professional ranks.

And Ward says he has made significant strides, ones the public can't necessarily see. He says that, at 25, he is much stronger than when he first turned pro, and that he is no longer prone to "mental lapses" in the ring. He says that in his last few fights he learned when he has the opportunity to put an opponent away, he must take advantage because he may not get another chance.

"I think my career is going well," said Ward. "People make too big a deal out of my 'timetable.' It's blown out of proportion. No one wants to be a world champion more than I do."