Andre Ward to explore more options as contract with HBO expires

[Ruthless-RKO]

Pound-for-pound king and unified light heavyweight world titleholder Andre Ward, who worked Saturday night's Terence Crawford-Julius Indongo undisputed junior welterweight world title fight as an analyst for the Top Rank ESPN telecast, told ringside media following the bout that his television contract with HBO is up.

He added that, contrary to industry chatter, he remains under contract with promoter Roc Nation Sports, even though rumors have swirled that he is gearing up for a jump to Top Rank.

Ward has long enjoyed a good relationship with Top Rank, and chairman Bob Arum has always been very complimentary of Ward. Arum also enjoys a strong relationship with Ward's longtime co-manager James Prince, who recently signed heavyweight contender Bryant Jennings and 2016 Olympic silver medalist Shakur Stevenson to Top Rank. Ward is also one of Stevenson's managers.

Ward's appearance as an analyst on the Top Rank card added to the speculation.

"I am still with Roc Nation 100 percent," Ward said. "My contract is up [with HBO] right now so I am a free agent there."

HBO declined to comment on the status of Ward's television contract through a spokesman on Tuesday.

Ward (32-0, 16 KOs), 33, of Oakland, California, has been with HBO since he knocked out Chad Dawson in 2012, though Ward has had two long layoffs since because of promotional issues.

Ward has fought six of his past seven fights for HBO, including both of his pay-per-view fights with Sergey Kovalev -- a controversial unanimous decision win in November to take Kovalev's three 175-pound world title belts, followed by an eighth-round knockout victory in the rematch on June 17.

Ward said he is not sure what his next fight will be, though he hopes to fight once more before the end of the year.

"My team is talking and working," Ward said. "Options [for the next fight] will be presented in a couple weeks."

[RScarf1]

He should fight Badou Jack, but he probably won't.

[Mexi-Box]

He should fight Badou Jack, but he probably won't.

Jack has to fight Bivol next. He should fight Gvozdyk or Beterbiev; although, Gvozdyk makes more sense since Beterbiev has a fight lined up.

[Enlightened-One]

He should fight Badou Jack, but he probably won't.

Why should Andre Ward fight Badou Jack, when he can replicate Terence Crawford’s achievement at 140lbs, by engaging in a title unification bout against Adonis Stevenson for all four main versions of the world light heavyweight crown on a PPV televised by Showtime?

Would a fight against Badou Jack bring as much money to table as a cruiserweight bout against Tony Bellew (on a PPV event hosted by Matchroom and televised by Sky Sports)?

As talented as the Swedish fighter is, I feel that Andre Ward has bigger fish to fry than Badou Jack at the moment.

[RScarf1]

He should fight Badou Jack, but he probably won't.

Why should Andre Ward fight Badou Jack, when he can replicate Terence Crawford’s achievement at 140lbs, by engaging in a title unification bout against Adonis Stevenson for all four main versions of the world light heavyweight crown on a PPV televised by Showtime?

Would a fight against Badou Jack bring as much money to table as a cruiserweight bout against Tony Bellew (on a PPV event hosted by Matchroom and televised by Sky Sports)?

As talented as the Swedish fighter is, I feel that Andre Ward has bigger fish to fry than Badou Jack at the moment.

Jack has a light heavyweight belt, right? He just beat Cleverly for his belt. Stevenson would be a good match too. I don't think Ward will fight either one of them.

[boxing_rocks]

Jack vs Bivol winner will be Ward's WBA mandatory. I strongly doubt that Stevenson will fight Ward. Stevenson vs Jack is more realistic if Haymon decides that Stevenson's time is up.

[ldlamb]

Ward/Stevenson is the fight that SHOULD happen.....but yeah, I doubt it.

[Enlightened-One]

He should fight Badou Jack, but he probably won't.

Why should Andre Ward fight Badou Jack, when he can replicate Terence Crawford’s achievement at 140lbs, by engaging in a title unification bout against Adonis Stevenson for all four main versions of the world light heavyweight crown on a PPV televised by Showtime?

Would a fight against Badou Jack bring as much money to table as a cruiserweight bout against Tony Bellew (on a PPV event hosted by Matchroom and televised by Sky Sports)?

As talented as the Swedish fighter is, I feel that Andre Ward has bigger fish to fry than Badou Jack at the moment.

Jack has a light heavyweight belt, right? He just beat Cleverly for his belt. Stevenson would be a good match too. I don't think Ward will fight either one of them.

Badou Jack doesn't possess a legitimate belt.

I don't believe that any person of sound mind that frequents this forum will aggressively claim that a WBA "regular" world champion is a legitimate title to hold if there is already a WBA "super" world titleholder campaigning in the very same weight division.

[gilgamesh]

Jack vs Bivol winner will be Ward's WBA mandatory. I strongly doubt that Stevenson will fight Ward. Stevenson vs Jack is more realistic if Haymon decides that Stevenson's time is up.

Bivol's gonna kick Jack's ass.

[RScarf1]

Jack is one of the best in the division and he's got a belt. I know it's "regular." Nevertheless, I think Ward would consider a fight with Jack as too much risk, not enough reward.

[gilgamesh]

Jack is one of the best in the division and he's got a belt. I know it's "regular." Nevertheless, I think Ward would consider a fight with Jack as too much risk, not enough reward.

Ward would shut out or at least damn near shut out Badou Jack.

I can't see Jack winning more than 2 rounds against Ward, and I wouldn't be surprised if he won none.

[boxing_rocks]

Jack vs Bivol winner will be Ward's WBA mandatory. I strongly doubt that Stevenson will fight Ward. Stevenson vs Jack is more realistic if Haymon decides that Stevenson's time is up.

Bivol's gonna kick Jack's ass.

You obviously don't rate Jack very high. Bivol is a solid fighter, but I haven't seen enough from him to be sure that he beats Jack. So far, he was just showing that he can come forward and throw good one-twos avoiding punches from his not so good opponents.

I am also not so sure that Ward would shut Jack off. Ward's best win's beside Kovalev were against pretty straight forward guys like Froch, Kessler and Abraham. I think Jack has better skills and ability to adapt which none of Ward's opponents had shown.

[gilgamesh]

You're right I don't rate Jack very high. Maybe I'm overrating Bivol, but we'll see if that fight winds up materializing. I'm personally confident that Bivol would beat Jack.

I have no doubt whatsoever that Ward would beat Jack.