Andre Ward Reacts To Floyd Mayweather

[Ruthless-RKO]

IBF, WBC, WBA light heavyweight champion Andre Ward (31-0, 15 KOs) has hit back at retired former five division world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., who recently had some choice words about the Olympic gold medal winner and his trainer Virgil Hunter.

Ward responded and says he won't be baited into a war of words.

"Floyd - I'm not taking the bait, but I will say this. When is it going to stop? How many more people are you going to lash out at? You’re in a position to build up the sport of boxing and the people in it and not tear it down. Especially the younger generation. Be a part of the solution and not a part of the problem," Ward stated.

"Don't become another 'critic' the very ones you've been fighting your whole career. Especially toward the ones who go through the same things you do. All the lashing out may make headlines, but it's not a good look bro. We need to choose our words wisely, the people are listening."

[lazboy]

Trying to take the moral highhround and make this something it isn't. Mayweather thought Kovalev won, he voiced it, a lot of people have, thats all. I don't see how Mayweathers opinion is "not a good look" or how its damaging to boxing and/or how he needs to censor his statements because us "people" are listening. End of the day it was just a fight and it was a controversial decision. People are allowed to talk.

[Badhusker]

Very well said by Ward, and he is right. He isn't talking only about what Floyd said about him losing. He is talking about the many things Floyd says to the media because he misses the limelight. Most of the things Floyd says are to tear someone down instead of putting boxing in a positive light.

I'm sure Ward is pretty callous to opinions about his recent fight. All the negative BS about McGregor, Virgil Hill, GGG, etc. Floyd doesn't have a right or wrong opinion. Opinions are opinions. Floyd is using the media saying things to get people to notice him, and to not forget him. In my opinion Ward is right. Floyd needs to stay positive and promote the sport of boxing, or STFU.

[Bard of Boxrec]

'Floyd, I won't take the bait, because I am clearly above that...but let me tell you one thing...ok I'll take the bait'

[Bard of Boxrec]

Here's what's 'not a good look bro'

[Autobarn]

'Floyd, I won't take the bait, because I am clearly above that...but let me tell you one thing...ok I'll take the bait'

Very true. Rhetoric from Ward, there. People think they're being clever when they say, "I don't want to X, but..."

[Enlightened-One]

"Don't become another 'critic' the very ones you've been fighting your whole career. Especially toward the ones who go through the same things you do. All the lashing out may make headlines, but it's not a good look bro. We need to choose our words wisely, the people are listening."

I think that Andre Ward believes that many of his so-called “critics” are guilty of using code words to conceal their racial double standards. And he feels that his fellow sportsmen should not add fuel to the proverbial fire by endorsing this criticism, by expressing a personal opinion that those same “critics” can use as ammunition to justify their extremely harsh behaviour.

So I suspect that Ward believes that there are a set of “critics” that dislike fighters that share similar physical and stylistic attributes and personal backgrounds to himself, such as Mayweather, Rigondeaux and Crawford. With the same set of people enthusiastically lavishing praise on another set of fighters that share similar physical and stylistic attributes and personal backgrounds, such as Lomachenko, Kovalev and Golovkin.

It is possible that Andre Ward is probably not offended by Mayweather’s opinion, but is more concerned about how his criticism will be used by others.

[Bard of Boxrec]

"Don't become another 'critic' the very ones you've been fighting your whole career. Especially toward the ones who go through the same things you do. All the lashing out may make headlines, but it's not a good look bro. We need to choose our words wisely, the people are listening."

I think that Andre Ward believes that many of his so-called “critics” are guilty of using code words to conceal their racial double standards. And he feels that his fellow sportsmen should not add fuel to the proverbial fire by endorsing this criticism, by expressing a personal opinion that those same “critics” can use as ammunition to justify their extremely harsh behaviour.

So I suspect that Ward believes that there are a set of “critics” that dislike fighters that share similar physical and stylistic attributes and personal backgrounds to himself, such as Mayweather, Rigondeaux and Crawford. With the same set of people enthusiastically lavishing praise on another set of fighters that share similar physical and stylistic attributes and personal backgrounds, such as Lomachenko, Kovalev and Golovkin.

It is possible that Andre Ward is probably not offended by Mayweather’s opinion, but is more concerned about how his criticism will be used by others.

good post. I also get that impression from Ward

[IKSRTFO]

Trying to take the moral highhround and make this something it isn't. Mayweather thought Kovalev won, he voiced it, a lot of people have, thats all. I don't see how Mayweathers opinion is "not a good look" or how its damaging to boxing and/or how he needs to censor his statements because us "people" are listening. End of the day it was just a fight and it was a controversial decision. People are allowed to talk.

Until people say that Castillo and Maidana beat him and you'll see Floyd say the same thing Ward did.

[Oiky]

I don't like floyd but he thought ward lost as did many and he voiced it, simple

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Keep in mind, these penny bloggers beg Floyd to talk to them. He answers questions more than he seeks these nerds out. He's also an active promoter with a card tomorrow.

[Enlightened-One]

Keep in mind, these penny bloggers beg Floyd to talk to them. He answers questions more than he seeks these nerds out. He's also an active promoter with a card tomorrow.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. visited ESPN's offices and discussed the matter during an interview with Brian Campbell (skip to the 14:16 mark to see his comments about Andre Ward):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rA8mEzUn_8

Is Brian Campbell a "nerd" and a "penny blogger" that "begged Floyd" to talk to him?

[lazboy]

Trying to take the moral highhround and make this something it isn't. Mayweather thought Kovalev won, he voiced it, a lot of people have, thats all. I don't see how Mayweathers opinion is "not a good look" or how its damaging to boxing and/or how he needs to censor his statements because us "people" are listening. End of the day it was just a fight and it was a controversial decision. People are allowed to talk.

Until people say that Castillo and Maidana beat him and you'll see Floyd say the same thing Ward did.

Let's see who handles it better. Mayweather almost feeds of negative criticism whereas wards considering retirement.

Also I can't believe people say maidana won that fight.