By Edward Chaykovsky
WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward (27-0, 14KOs) says he was very open to facing Carl Froch in a rematch, but claims the Nottingham fighter never wanted it to happen.
Earlier this year, the WBA ordered Ward to defend his belt against Froch, who held the WBA's 'regular' title at the weight.
Ward was open to the fight, and even entertained the idea of traveling to do the fight at Wembley Stadium. But Ward was turned off after Froch changed his tune and wanted the fight in his backyard of Nottingham.
They fought on neutral ground in December 2011 in Atlantic City in the Super Six Finals, with Ward winning a twelve round unanimous decision.
Froch has yet to make an official decision on his future. He's been inactive since last May's knockout of George Groves and may not return to the ring.
"I was open to it a couple of months ago when the WBA mandated that we speak. I don't know what happened with that. It went from possibly fighting at Wembley to fighting in Nottingham. I can give but I can't give everything. To me that was an answer; he doesn't want to fight me and that's fine," Ward said to Sky Sports.
"If he doesn't want it, it's a dead issue and I can move on. I'm not a guy who is going to chase it or do articles, or beep the horn. If there's nothing there there’s nothing there. I think a fight between us would always be competitive because he's a great competitor, I am a great competitor and I know he's going to try and knock me out because he feels that is the only way he can win and he doesn’t want another decision against him.
"But I wouldn't want another decision - I'd want to knock him out and stop him so I just think it's a rivalry that is authentic and real but nothing personal. I appreciate the UK fans and I appreciate what he has given to the sport. Say what you want to say about Froch - he has fought the best and he's beat the best and you've got to respect that."