Andre Ward: "Mayweather is the #1 guy in boxing right now."

After dominating 12 rounds for a unanimous decision during which he overcame an overweight fighter who employed roughhouse tactics in Edwin Rodriguez, Andre Ward was asked about his thoughts concerning the sport's pound-for-pound list, and, in particular, his position in the No. 2 spot behind Floyd Mayweather Jr. Ward is rated No. 2 in THE RING's pound-for-pound list ahead of WBO welterweight titleholder Tim Bradley. "From a competitive standpoint, I would love to have the No. 1 spot, but Floyd is the No. 1 guy in boxing right now. He has done this and been successful and competed at the highest level since I've been a kid and since I've been an amateur fighter. I'm not the No. 1 fighter in the world. Floyd Mayweather is the No. 1 fighter in the world," said Ward (27-0, 14 knockouts), who ended an absence of 14 months that included surgery on his right shoulder against Rodriguez (24-1, 16 KOs). "Unless he retires, or something happens, or maybe he gets beat, well, then, maybe I'll take that spot. I'm content being No. 2 right now. I pay homage to the guys who have gone before me. Floyd Mayweather has helped to mold my style. I've been watching Floyd Mayweather fights all day today leading up to this fight. These guys have helped me to get to where I'm at in more ways than they realize, so I pay homage to these guys, and I respect these guys. He deserves that top spot."