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"The rematch with Kovalev is definitely something I'm interested in, it's definitely something we're entertaining, but I'm the champion now...if it's not right and it doesn't make sense, you know, absolutely, that may be a sign that it's time to leave the sport and walk away and do some other things in my life...I have to be fair to myself. I've put in a lot of hours, a lot of time, not just in these fights, but in this gym, my whole life, so it would be unfair to me to get into a ring at any point in time in my career moving forward if I'm not happy with the terms," stated undefeated unified light heavyweight champion Andre Ward, who opened up about the possibility of retirement if a rematch with former champion Sergey Kovalev does not make sense.

Full article Fight Hype ANDRE WARD OPENS UP ON POSSIBLE RETIREMENT

If you hear a "but" in a statement be wary, that's the real intention. One sentence about a rematch with Kovalev BUT - a paragraph why he wants and deserves to quit or "retire". I don't think this fight is happening. I won't remember him fondly.

If Ward retires not giving Kovalev a rematch, he will be remembered as a coward.
Hell even Floyd gave Castillo a rematch.

A very good fighter that retired off of a questionable win, but still built a career with a long list of impressive wins. Usually in dull fashion.

Nevertheless he'd get into the Hall of Fame based on what he's accomplished and he'd always be able to keep saying that "Haven't lost a fight since I was 12 years old" stuff.

Yea I'd reckon he'd get into the HOF unfortunately, something about him really irks me.

I fell he needs to pull his head out of his arsse, get some perspective, stop being an entitled brat and get back to work (it's his job isn't it, a multi million dollar paying job) or be honest, state the real reasons why he wants to quit, that he doesn't have it anymore, that it was too hard for him in there to go through it again, that's ok, that's honorable, thats honest.

But he won't, he'll complain about how unfairly he was treated after he chose to step up in weight, how he was never given respect when he hasn't been a respectful champion, haven't heard one humble or respectful thing out of his mouth since he was gifted the decision and now he is threatening retirement if he doesn't get what he wants when he got what he wanted the first time, he got the purse, he got the decision. What kind of role model is that. Doesn't sound like he's confident in the rematch and neither am I that it will happen.

Top 3 or 4 super middle.

Unfulfilled talent would be my description of him if he quits now.

Coward? Don't make me laugh. You know he fought and edged to a win over Kovalev already yes?

There should be a rematch, if he continues, but what happens if Ward wins again, which smart money suggests he would ( given their respective styles, the smarter more technical fighter will nearly always do better in the rematch )

Do Kovalev's cheerleaders cry for another rematch and keep crying for them to fight until Kov wins one?

Losing to a super middleweight hurts Kovalev's legacy. Ward already has a very good legacy secured. Kessler, Froch, Kovalev etc

Second best super-middle behind Calzaghe for me.

A kind of boxer which drives fans away from the sport.

Ettt9350 wrote:Second best super-middle behind Calzaghe for me.

No Jones?

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boxing_rocks wrote:

exactly what happened, home cooking, home ref, home judges

klitoris wrote:If Ward retires not giving Kovalev a rematch, he will be remembered as a coward.
Hell even Floyd gave Castillo a rematch.

And maidana

boxing_rocks wrote:

Hahahahahaha

Great fighter and champ!Sure top 3 SMW.
Whenever the decision to retire.

I wont remember him as anything tbh,he never excited me,he COULD of been the face if boxing after the froch and dawson fights but took too long capitalizing on the super six,he was akways talking about fighting froch again,fightin GGG and ended up fighting the future HOFer,the warrior,the best guy for the last 10years(not) in paul "smigga" smith. He let himself age without stamping his name firmly in the HOF

thechump wrote:I wont remember him as anything tbh,he never excited me,he COULD of been the face if boxing after the froch and dawson fights but took too long capitalizing on the super six,he was akways talking about fighting froch again,fightin GGG and ended up fighting the future HOFer,the warrior,the best guy for the last 10years(not) in paul "smigga" smith. He let himself age without stamoing his name firmly in the HOF

good post

the stench wafting offa slappin' soggy is absolutely retch inducing

boxing_rocks wrote:

Ward looks good here. Younger, fresher.

This soundbite from Ward is just ridiculous. What the heck is he even talking about? It has to make sense? The terms of the rematch were already negotiated per Duva. So what needs to make sense, Andre? You dodgy prick ya. Look, i'd be scared of another 36 minutes with that animal too but be a man.

I'm sure that the rematch clause was a big factor in initial negotiations and I'd almost guarantee that Kovalev made some concessions based upon Ward's agreeing to the clause being in effect. Ward had no intentions of honoring from the start but he used to gain more leverage and money. That tells you all you need to know about this guy. I'll remember him as a great commentator because as a boxer he couldn't break a paper bag and his fights were like NyQuil. That should be his new nickname, NyQuil instead of SOG. I'm sure God's not happy about Ward assuming that position.

Andre Ward hasn’t retired and the terms of the rematch haven’t been finalised yet.

The Ward-Kovalev bout only achieved a modest amount of PPV buys, but the S.O.G. is going to try to force Roc Nation to supply another guaranteed fight purse of $5m in order for the rematch to “make sense.”

I suspect Ward will “retire” if he’s asked to fight Kovalev for a smaller purse than the one he received last month.

The threat of retirement could just be a negotiating ploy to force HBO & Roc Nation to stump up the necessary funds. Also, as per the Fury-Klitschko situation, retirement was one way to avoid the adhering to the terms stipulated in the rematch clause.

Kathy Duva has confirmed that Roc Nation have already been discussing dates for the rematch with HBO for April or June. So there’s no reason to believe that Ward won’t face Kovalev again if his payday demands are met.

boxing_rocks wrote:

This is friggin brilliant!

SaadOffTheDeck wrote:Top 3 or 4 super middle.

I think Jones comes top fairly clearly, Calzaghe and Ward is really close. Ward has the edge on resume at 168 over Calzaghe but I think that Joe would just have outworked Ward in an ugly one.

I really can't think of another guy who could compare to those three at 168.