Andre Ward is 'leaving' boxing

[Ruthless-RKO]

Pound-for-pound king and unified light heavyweight world titleholder Andre Ward said in a statement on his website that he is "leaving" boxing.

"I want to be clear - I am leaving because my body can no longer put up with the rigors of the sport and therefore my desire to fight is no longer there," the statement said. "If I cannot give my family, my team, and the fans everything that I have, then I should no longer be fighting."

Last month, Ward told ringside media 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 was gearing up for a jump to Top Rank.

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 due to 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.

[littlepug]

just seen his statement, fair play and good luck to him

[Ruthless-RKO]

The light heavyweight division is about to open up.

[ldlamb]

Would have liked to see Ward/Stevenson first.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Would have liked to see Ward/Stevenson first.

I would like to have seen a few fights

[tiny_acres]

One of the few retirements in boxing where I believe the fighter.
Good luck in your future endeavors.

[ValMar]

just seen his statement, fair play and good luck to him

He was not my favourite fighter, but I have to admit that he was the genuine grand-master of boxing. Good luck, Andre !

[RScarf1]

I'm not surprised. He knew that if he had to fight with impartial officials that he would lose to the elite in the light heavyweight division.

[BAD INTENTIONS]

Good choice.
Hope his finances were more Hopkins-like than Floyd-like.

One of the greatest fighters of all time.
The best 168 pound fighter ever.
Beat (KO'ed) Kovalev.
Gold medalist.
Undefeated in his career.

[gilgamesh]

Good fighter, never cared for watching his dull career, and his last two shady wins aren't exactly the greatest note to go out on, but he seems a nice enough guy. I wish him well.

Wouldn't shock me if we haven't seen the last of him in a Boxing ring. Hope we have though.

[boxing_rocks]

With Floyd, Klit and now Ward gone, maybe young boxers will be looking up at more exciting role models.

[Blodhemn]

Where are the experts that said he'd stick around to face the young crop of LHWs? Knew he wouldn't, though he didn't exactly have to.