Wow! Andre Ward retires!

[X]

A real conundrum of a fighter. Massively accomplished; Olympic gold medal, unified the super middle division and then moved up to twice defeat the most feared fighter on the planet. He last lost a fight when he was 11 years old for fucks sake.

Always fit, solid chin, best infighter of his generation, very fast hands and wonderful technique. I'm not sure Andre had any weaknesses as a fighter.

His greatest strength was his ring IQ and ability to alter his game plan midway through rounds. Not many have been able to do that, ever.

There are some 'buts' though - he was inactive for a long time, and he could have potentially accomplished even more (!). He never set my pulse racing in the ring, most of his great work was subtle and only really appreciated by the aficionados, se he never achieved crossover fame like Canelo for example. This will have meant his earning power was never in the superstar stratosphere. He was bullishly strong, and was always happy to foul his way to victory on several occasions.

A truly elite fighter, with the record to prove it. It's hard to say who would have ever beaten him because nobody did ...lol but falls just short of being an All Time Great in my humble opinion. No shame in that.

Plus ...... he'll be back

[Alpha]

Getting out on his own terms. He had been milling about it for awhile. Pity as there were still some excellent fights around and money for him to make. All the best to him in retirement.

[El Kabong]

Primes vs Primes how would Andre Ward stack up vs the greats? So we're looking at his career in the 168 and 175 weight classes.


Roy Jones Jr.
Bernard Hopkins
James Toney
Joe Calzaghe
Michael Spinks
Archie Moore
Bob Foster

[Master]

I think Ward is genuine about his retirement, he does not do hype and media hysteria. I think he has done well financially and does not throw his money away. Very sensible guy.

Loses to Roy Jones Jr.
Draws with Bernard Hopkins
Beats James Toney
Loses to Joe Calzaghe at super middle but beats him at light heavy
Loses to Michael Spinks
Out points Archie Moore
Some how beats Bob Foster in a close controversial decision.

[Master]

[Master]

Andre Ward has reportedly retired as he's scared of facing Rio Ferdinand.

[imp]

He had at least x4 fights left!

I know it's his body and his decision blah blah blah...but come on!

The money!

Now Floyd retired, he had a few years of being the top dog in the game with big money fights his way!

Ward vs Kovalev 3
Ward vs Stevenson
Ward vs Badou Jack

Mmmm..they all do look like tough fights.

[Master]

He had at least x4 fights left!

I know it's his body and his decision blah blah blah...but come on!

The money!

Now Floyd retired, he had a few years of being the top dog in the game with big money fights his way!

Ward vs Kovalev 3
Ward vs Stevenson
Ward vs Badou Jack

Mmmm..they all do look like tough fights.

I am sure Kov does not have the balls to fight Ward again.
Stevenson was afraid to fight Kov never mind Ward.
The Jack fight would have been interesting but may not have made the money that would make him get back into the gym.

Ward did have some serious injuries and surgery to fix them.

[Alpha]

He had at least x4 fights left!

I know it's his body and his decision blah blah blah...but come on!

The money!

Now Floyd retired, he had a few years of being the top dog in the game with big money fights his way!

Ward vs Kovalev 3
Ward vs Stevenson
Ward vs Badou Jack

Mmmm..they all do look like tough fights.

Guys like Beterbiev and Gvozdyk would have also been tough fights.

[Batman]

Andre Ward has reportedly retired as he's scared of facing Rio Ferdinand.

Oh that's it @Master just take my joke and change the name from GGG and change it to Andre Ward and hope to get all the plaudits.

You god damn joke vampire

[Master]

Andre Ward has reportedly retired as he's scared of facing Rio Ferdinand.

Oh that's it @Master just take my joke and change the name from GGG and change it to Andre Ward and hope to get all the plaudits.

You god damn joke vampire

Mines is more topical and funnier.

[Dia bando]

Sorry but I am indifferent to Andre Ward he is a fighter I have very little interest in truth be told you like what you like in boxing and Ward with Hopkins were two fighters I never really cared for.

[GaMo]

A bellow fight in the U.K. would have been a nice farewell fight and surely an easy win?

He never fought outside of the US. There’s no way he’d come to the UK and why would he jump two weight classes when there’s big fights to be had in his own division?

He was talking about moving up to heavyweight wasn't he, I suppose he's looked at Bellew and decided that he isn't going to embarrass himself by openly avoiding Wilder and Joshua and just picking off the smaller heavyweights.

It wouldn’t be embarrassing if he avoided AJ and Wilder just like it wasn’t embarrassing when Jones didn’t fight Lewis or Klitschko. He started his career at 168 while AJ weighed in at 250 for his last fight.

[Primo Carnera]

Primes vs Primes how would Andre Ward stack up vs the greats? So we're looking at his career in the 168 and 175 weight classes.


Roy Jones Jr.
Bernard Hopkins
James Toney
Joe Calzaghe
Michael Spinks
Archie Moore
Bob Foster

Roy Jones Jr. - prime v prime Roy late
Bernard Hopkins - Ward
James Toney - Ward
Joe Calzaghe - Ward
Michael Spinks - Not sure
Archie Moore - not fair , too many generations between them
Bob Foster - Foster

[imp]

Primes vs Primes how would Andre Ward stack up vs the greats? So we're looking at his career in the 168 and 175 weight classes.


Roy Jones Jr.
Bernard Hopkins
James Toney
Joe Calzaghe
Michael Spinks
Archie Moore
Bob Foster

Jones and JC are the only fighters that Ward will struggle with..

Jones chin was invisible back then and JC workrate, heart and handspeed is a problem for any era.

JC and Ward retired undefeated so there is no blueprint to beat them.

Jones can be beaten and has been knocked out numerous times..post prime.