Andre Ward: I Have To Make Decision Soon - Retire or Do Rematch!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Unified light heavyweight world champion Andre Ward (31-0, 15 KOs) admits that he needs to make a big decision very soon - retire from the sport of boxing or go forward with a contracted rematch against Sergey Kovalev (30-1, 26 KOs.

Last November at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Ward won a close twelve round unanimous decision over Kovalev to capture the World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Organization (WBO) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) light heavyweight titles.

A few days after the fight, Kovalev exercised a rematch clause to force a second fight with Ward.

a decision about whether to retire or have another fight is on the table right now. I have to make up my mind very soon," Ward told Daily Mail.

"There is only one fight left that interests me. A rematch with Kovalev. If it happens the second fight will be more difficult for him than the first. If not, well, I really love broadcasting. I am still in the thick of it all. Mixing with boxers and the fans from the best seat in the house. Without getting punched myself."

[Baby Face Finster]

Sounds like he is going to retire. When boxers start talking about retirement the fire to fight is usually no longer there.

[Impractical Poster]

I vote for retirement.

[diddy]

Retire ?? At 31? i doubt that highly.

[Horse]

What a waste of talent Ward is.

[ElJefe]

He did a 30 minute interview with IFLTV the other day and seemed very keen on the rematch.

[boxing_rocks]

Obviously the money will be a deciding factor. Ward will want more than he got in the first fight, and with his retirement talk, I strongly doubt that RN will want to give him another donation at their expense. Retirement.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

I'd absolutely love it if he retired. Though I doubt it would stop him from running his mouth.

[montrealsuper]

Translation: I will (fake) retire for about Six Months or so and then handpick another patsy to shake off the rust - This is all just a ruse to duck Kovalev -

[gilgamesh]

Translation: I will (fake) retire for about Six Months or so and then handpick another patsy to shake off the rust - This is all just a ruse to duck Kovalev -

You're probably spot on. He'll "retire" just long enough to get out of the rematch and then come back.

[klitoris]

I have always wondered how rematch clauses deal with retirement. Meaning that if someone is to retire, do they still have to then fight the boxer that they have a rematch clause with if they ever decide to un-retire?

[Evander]

Any chance the fight could be made in Russia or is that just me ?

[gilgamesh]

Any chance the fight could be made in Russia or is that just me ?

The chances are equally as likely that it gets made on the moon.

[boxing_rocks]

Translation: I will (fake) retire for about Six Months or so and then handpick another patsy to shake off the rust - This is all just a ruse to duck Kovalev -

You're probably spot on. He'll "retire" just long enough to get out of the rematch and then come back.

I don't know. I think he doesn't like to box, so unless he is short of money, he will stay retired.

[Evander]

Any chance the fight could be made in Russia or is that just me ?

The chances are equally as likely that it gets made on the moon.

Why do you say that ?

[Kalan]

Unified light heavyweight world champion Andre Ward (31-0, 15 KOs) admits that he needs to make a big decision very soon - retire from the sport of boxing or go forward with a contracted rematch against Sergey Kovalev (30-1, 26 KOs.

Last November at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Ward won a close twelve round unanimous decision over Kovalev to capture the World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Organization (WBO) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) light heavyweight titles.

A few days after the fight, Kovalev exercised a rematch clause to force a second fight with Ward.

a decision about whether to retire or have another fight is on the table right now. I have to make up my mind very soon," Ward told Daily Mail.

"There is only one fight left that interests me. A rematch with Kovalev. If it happens the second fight will be more difficult for him than the first. If not, well, I really love broadcasting. I am still in the thick of it all. Mixing with boxers and the fans from the best seat in the house. Without getting punched myself."

Who's he trying to kid??? ... He's got many years to go in his boxing career... He's working on his strength training like crazy and telling everyone he's going to retire... He's just full of gas, just trying to get the jump on Kovalev, because he knows he can start faster in the next fight if he's stronger. Because he knows Kovalev will be coming very hard and he can fight a more relaxed and heady fight and finish a lot stronger. He also knows he lost the first fight.

[gilgamesh]

Any chance the fight could be made in Russia or is that just me ?

The chances are equally as likely that it gets made on the moon.

Why do you say that ?

Because it's Andre Ward you're talking about. He was pissed the first fight took place in Vegas instead of Oakland for f*cks sake. You think he's going to Russia?

Absolutely zero chance.

[Kalan]

Russia could win the purse bid if it comes to that...

[Stuarty]

Smashing talent but if he retires now he'll be an easy guy to forget and I doubt many will miss him!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Smashing talent but if he retires now he'll be an easy guy to forget and I doubt many will miss him!

You're right. The super-six was long ago and he's not fought regularly since.

[Evander]

The chances are equally as likely that it gets made on the moon.

Why do you say that ?

Because it's Andre Ward you're talking about. He was pissed the first fight took place in Vegas instead of Oakland for f*cks sake. You think he's going to Russia?

Absolutely zero chance.

Come on Kovalev v Ward was never going to land in Oakland.
A rematch in Russia and a 3rd in Oakland sounds good.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Why do you say that ?

Because it's Andre Ward you're talking about. He was pissed the first fight took place in Vegas instead of Oakland for f*cks sake. You think he's going to Russia?

Absolutely zero chance.

Come on Kovalev v Ward was never going to land in Oakland.
A rematch in Russia and a 3rd in Oakland sounds good.

How about staples center?

[Tanzio]

Translation: I will (fake) retire for about Six Months or so and then handpick another patsy to shake off the rust - This is all just a ruse to duck Kovalev -

You're probably spot on. He'll "retire" just long enough to get out of the rematch and then come back.

I don't know. I think he doesn't like to box, so unless he is short of money, he will stay retired.

Ward is a smart person. He values his god, family, and health. Boxing was a means to provide for his family. He seems like a frugal person who is calculating whether rematching Krusher warrants the risk to his health.

Ward may be irritating on a number of levels but he has navigated this dangerous profession expertly.

[montrealsuper]

I have always wondered how rematch clauses deal with retirement. Meaning that if someone is to retire, do they still have to then fight the boxer that they have a rematch clause with if they ever decide to un-retire?

Nope - retiring squelches the REMATCH clause - Floyd did it to duck Oscar 2 -

[gilgamesh]

Why do you say that ?

Because it's Andre Ward you're talking about. He was pissed the first fight took place in Vegas instead of Oakland for f*cks sake. You think he's going to Russia?

Absolutely zero chance.

Come on Kovalev v Ward was never going to land in Oakland.
A rematch in Russia and a 3rd in Oakland sounds good.

They'll never fight in Russia. ZERO CHANCE