Andrew Ference Recalls No Reservations From Sidney Crosby’s First Career Fight

Sidney Crosby made headlines last week when he dropped the gloves with Dallas Stars defenseman Matt Miskanen. Though No. 87 didn't exactly look like a prizefighter, it wasn't his first throwdown in the NHL.

That came against Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference, who got tangled up with Crosby in Boston in December 2007. The two came to blows, and Crosby turned in what was probably the best fight of his career.

On Tuesday morning, Ference was asked on The Dennis and Callahan Show if he had any reservations when going up against Crosby, the young superstar who was just 20 years old at the time.

"No. I actually didn't even realize that he hadn't fought before," Ference said on the show. "I played in the Western League in Canada and our leading scorer was expected to fight if he did something or if he had to stand up for a teammate. Everybody in our game should have to stand up for themselves once in a while.

"If you can go your whole career without a fight, you're doing something wrong."