By Edward Chaykovsky

WBA/WBC super middleweight champion Andre Ward (26-0, 14KOs) says his comments regarding a drop in weight to face Floyd Mayweather Jr. (43-0, 26KOs) was not a public challenge. The unbeaten boxer says he was simply answering a hypothetical question regarding a Mayweather fight. In the last few days, there have been some words exchanged between the two camps, but Ward is not looking to drag the situation out for the sake of making headlines. As far as Ward is concerned, the Mayweather situation is now closed.

"I've been in boxing a long time and rule number 1 is you don't call somebody out that's three weight classes lower than you. You also don't call somebody out who has a fight coming up, and I'm not in a position to call anybody out right now because I'm rehabbing my shoulder. I'm not a guy that says things for shock value or says things to get headlines," Ward told FightHype.com.

"I respected what Floyd has done for the sport before he said what he said and I respect what Floyd has done for our sport after he said what he said. We had a difference and that's what it is. What I'm not going to allow to happen is this thing to escalate and there be some long-standing beef or problem between me and Floyd Mayweather when that's not the case, so it's done. I don't have no problems with Floyd Mayweather. It was squashed the other day. I answered the question and it got blown way out of proportion."

Tags: Floyd Mayweather Jr. , Andre Ward