Comments Thread For: Andre Ward: I Have To Make Decision Soon - Retire or Do Rematch!

[BillyBoxing]

I put my money on Ward and him adjusting in the 2nd fight. It was a very close fight. Not a robbery like Degale or Jack.

I don't know if it's more about Ward adjusting or Kova gassing out.

They said Kova over trained, and Kova doesn't like to fight 12 rounds.

Dude is a beast but tires quickly, it somehow allowed Ward to come back in the fight.

In my opinion, Kova knows by now all that "Son of god" "P4P number 1" is frankly exaggerated and will train properly.

He really outboxed Ward when both styles clashed, then he was tired, and what Ward did as an adjustment was BOXING NEGATIVELY.

I never saw Ward adjusting to Kova's boxing game, he just pulled the dirty card because he was not winning trading punches properly.

[jsl22]

I had Kovalev winning 115-112, but let's try and put this in perspective.

Kovalev, if the judges got it right that night, would be humble and grateful for fighting Ward, talking about him as an Olympic champ and Super Middleweight King. He would definitely honor a rematch clause because it's a lucrative money fight, and beneficial to both of their careers. Kovalev rematched Pascal, he runs from nobody so he would've definitely fought Ward again knowing he could've done better for the fans and not tire in the later rounds. It's a bigger money fight for Kovalev than Beterbiev, Joe Smith Jr, Barrera, etc. He would've fought Stevenson already if he could. But knowing Chickenson, Ward is the best out there.

Ward, on the other hand, talking about retirement, if the money is right, contract is already signed. You either fight Kovalev, or give up the belts / retire or whatever you want to do. Andre Ward also didn't give Kovalev any respect saying things in the media like, 'he didn't hurt me from any punch', 'I expect more from Krusher', 'I'm thinking about my legacy and retiring on top'. To me that sounds like he doesn't want it after the first time.

Look at it that way from both perspectives. Ask yourself, who is acting like the real champ?

[BillyBoxing]

He's obviously going to fight Kovalev. Ward is a dog. He won't be satisfied with all the whining about his victory.

Asking for justice and fairness (mixing judges nationalities for an international event/belt) is not whinning.

It's not about shutting mouthes, it's about really beating Kovalev and deserving those belts.

[BillyBoxing]

Ward fans say you can't compare Calzaghe's resume to Ward's. I dont think either have a particularly great resume

Why? Just being curious...

[.!WAR MIKEY!.]

That shit perplexes me YES PERPLEXES ME! I cant understand how much of a bitch someone has to be to seriously consider retiring just to save face and avoid a rematch. Nukka willing to give up millions and millions of future money to save face. We know Ward is too prideful to ever admit he is ducking the Kovalev rematch so to avoid that embarrassment hes only out is to retire. CRAZY.

[NaijaD]

That's not how it works. Almost always when you are agreeing to a rematch you are agreeing to a certain payday or payday range for the rematch. I'd be willing to bet Ward has a contract that says he gets equal or greater guaranteed money then the first fight along with a equal or greater PPV cut. If Roc Nation, Main Events and HBO can't agree on a deal that assures Ward of that the rematch clause won't even be binding so he's unlikely to need to retire if money is the issue with making a rematch.

Although I'd likely agree Ward fighting and not fighting Kovalev or at least Stevenson next will be a bad look for him.

I had mentioned before that the rematch clause probably had the terms set out but I didn't consider that they might have promised Ward a certain amount or improvement on his purse for the first fight, so you have a point there. I'm not totally convinced though, there were no assurances of how well the PPV would perform so it wouldn't make sense for a promoter to make any promises beyond the percentage of the split of the pot the fighter would get. The way Ward has been talking it looks like they're trying to alter what's already in the rematch clause. That's my take on it.

[BillyBoxing]

Ward beat Kessler better than Joe and the scores were a lot further as well. 6,6,4 to Joe's 6,4,4 lead...And Eubank really?? If 42, 43 year old was awkward fight for Joe Ward would of been a NIGHTMARE.

Yes, and Manny beat Hatton better than Floyd.

Is that working too?

Yeah, Eubank was 31 years old + never had been stopped or outclassed in his whole career.

Joe retired him.

[bluemax]

Ward just retire!!! You got a gift the first fight and chances of you getting 3 judges in your pocket this time are slim. Stop whining and go away and leave the boxing to fighters like Kovalev that don't need blind or corrupt judges to win.

[BillyBoxing]

That shit perplexes me YES PERPLEXES ME! I cant understand how much of a bitch someone has to be to seriously consider retiring just to save face and avoid a rematch. Nukka willing to give up millions and millions of future money to save face. We know Ward is too prideful to ever admit he is ducking the Kovalev rematch so to avoid that embarrassment hes only out is to retire. CRAZY.

Ward is a family man, he has x kids, + he's smart enough for not liking being dropped on the floor.

Ward learned a lesson facing Kovalev, those 175 guys can punch, and there is a much better level IMO at 175 in 2017 than 168 during the super six period where the top guys were Kessler, Froch, and the turtle Abraham.

Stevenson, Kova, Beterbeast, that Ukranian olympic gold medalist guy, Ward could be badly hurt in those fights...

IMO Ward doesn't really like the boxing life but more his family life.

I won't judge him for that, but P4P number 1 and LHW champ of the world? Hmmm give those belts back bro and retire.

[Sun_Tzu]

Make the fight Andre, if you retire all your work since you were a kid will be wasted. You will be remembered as a duck. Your name will not be mentioned among any of the greats of your era, someone will mention your name and people will say "Oh thats the guy that retired rather than honor the rematch with Kovalev right? Screw that guy." You were on the good end of a controversial decision, I along with an overwhelming amount of people had Kovalev winning but thats how fights like that go sometimes. The greats are anxious to remove all doubt, be great dont be a duck.