De La Hoya: Andre Ward a Real Talent, Needs To Fight

By Rick Reeno

WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward (27-0, 14KOs) is losing very valuable career time, according to Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya.

Because of injuries and legal battles, Ward has been inactive over the last few years. Ward was last seen in action in November 2013, when he picked up a decision win over Edwin Rodriguez. Following his dominating performances to win the Super Six tournament in 2011, Ward entered the ring once in 2012 and once in 2013.

Ward has an ongoing legal battle with Goossen Promotions. The Olympic gold medal winner has made several attempts to break away from his promotional contract. Dan Goossen, Ward's longtime promoter, unexpectedly passed away from cancer related complications in October. Goossen's family members are now running the company and handling the legal situation with Ward.

De La Hoya is no stranger to promotional legal battles, but he always tried to stay active during those hectic periods of his career.   

"What a talent he is. Here you have an all American, clean cut...this guy should be like another Sugar Ray Leonard. That is just talent being lost in the shuffle. I don't know [or have an] understanding of his contract situation, but you can't get that time back....especially as a fighter. You've got to fight," De La Hoya said.