'I never had problems with a bigger man' – Andre Ward almost fought Anthony Joshua and Tony Bellew, but made shock decision to retire instead

18/03/2024 13:38

Andre Ward shocked the boxing world when he retired unbeaten in 2017, aged just 33.

The elite American two-weight world champion did something many boxers fail to do as he left the sport at the top, while reigning as pound-for-pound king.

Ward’s career was frustrating at times as he became super-middleweight (168lbs) king by conquering the Super Six tournament, but then had an extended period out of the ring due to a contractual dispute.

Despite missing out on a piece of his prime, he returned at light-heavyweight (175lbs) and twice beat Russian star Sergey Kovalev to establish himself as the best fighter in the sport.

It was after stopping Kovalev in their dramatic rematch that Ward sat down as a free agent to weigh up his next move.

One option was to move up to cruiserweight (200lbs) to pursue Tony Bellew and then chase greatness by leaping to heavyweight (200lbs+) for a clash with Anthony Joshua.

However, in the end, Ward opted to retire instead.

“It was something that was talked about on and off as my career was winding down,” Ward explained as to Gareth A Davies on talkSPORT Fight Night

“If I would’ve continued fighting, absolutely, no doubt about it. At my post-fight press conference after the Kovalev rematch, Vergil Hunter mentioned it.

“He mentioned it, there was literally nothing left for me to do at 175lbs. Adonis Stevenson I don’t believe deserved a shot…

“I just fought the biggest name in the division, I’m not going backwards. So there was nothing left at 175lbs.

“If I’d stayed around it was going to cruiserweight, I was going to target Tony Bellew, I know he would’ve took the fight.

“And once I’d felt that at 200lbs and got my feet underneath me, I would’ve gone after Anthony Joshua.

“If he would’ve took it serious I don’t know, but that’s who we were gunning for.”

Ward is adamant that he would’ve been confident of beating Joshua, despite the size disadvantage.

“This is no disrespect to Anthony Joshua,” Ward continued, “But I just feel the way I feel about it.

“I’ve never had problems with a bigger man, ever…

“I’ve been a middleweight facing light-heavyweights, heavyweights, I’ve never had problems with taller and more physically bigger men in the boxing ring.

“In fact, I welcome that. What’s more challenging is a skilful fighter. A guy who makes me think the way I make him think.

“If you stand in the way of Joshua’s straight right hand as a smaller man, even as a bigger man, you’ve got problems.

“No doubt about that, there are things I would’ve had to figure out and overcome.

“But at that stage in my career I’d conquered 168lbs, I’d conquered 175lbs, I was going up to cruiserweight and if I’m successful against Bellew I’m going to the mountain top.

“I don’t see a problem with me fighting and beating Joshua because I would’ve worn him down.

“I’m not standing there for you to hit me, and if you did land I believe I would’ve took the right hand.

“I was gonna find a way and I think it would’ve been a lot easier than people realise.”