ANDRE WARD hanging the gloves up this week was a shock to everyone in the boxing community.
For me this guy was one of the greatest boxers of all time. He didn’t lose a fight since he was 12 years old, winning a gold at the Olympics, then totally dominating the 168lbs ranks before making that big jump to 175lbs, where he beat multi-belted champ Sergey Kovalev to make him the king of the light-heavyweights.
Ward said on his website he was “leaving because my body can no longer put up with the rigours of the sport and therefore my desire to fight is no longer there”.
He has made enough money to live comfortably for the rest of his life and also has a promising long-term career at HBO as an analyst.
I personally think this is a great decision from him – get in, earn lots, leave a legacy, then get out before it’s too late and you damage your body and mind even more.
I’m sure he will join the hall of fame!
At only 33, he has boxed at the highest level for 23 years and I can’t imagine what his body is going through.
I boxed competitively from the age of 10 and retired at 27 due to hand injuries, but my whole body felt injured constantly, lying in bed with sore elbows, wrists, knees etc.
This is the sacrifice a boxer makes so I’m so happy for Andre to be able to get out now and I wish him nothing but the best.
