Andre Ward ponders on his future in boxing. I think he should at least have a rematch with Kovalev to prove that he won because he did not. He has nothing to lose on the rematch. It his decision to retire, so be it for at least have a rematch with Kovalev and win convincingly.
He is not certain that the judges will be as cheap to buy the second tone, given the outrage that the first robbery incurred.
I understand why people want a rematch, to give Kovalev a chance. One thing to remember, the first fight did really patheric bad numbers and Ward knows the money will not go up. So why take the same fight for much less money.
Tricky situation. Ward's going to want more money and a bigger split, but Roc took a loss last time around and Kovalev already took short money. It's conceivable he gets less guaranteed for a rematch and they have to promise him more upside on the back end, so who knows what he'll do from there. If the math doesn't work for him to get a raise, he could just walk away. Roc is in a weird position, but it's one they got themselves in to.
This is FACT. The number were lousy but Ward made out alright that time because Roc Nation made up the difference. They may not for the rematch and Ward would receive probably 50% less than the 1st. I think the rematch should happen, but only after both Ward and Kovalev take one or two more fights to build up demand. I think Ward-Stevenson or Stevenson-Kovalev in Canada would generate more revenue than a Ward-Kovalev rematch. Ward says he isn't interested in facing Stevenson so Kov should pull a Froch, face Stevenson and do to Stevenson what Froch did to Bute. Than the rematch would have Kovalev fans screaming for it and willing to pay PPV dollars.
I don't think Ward will be offered $5 mill + PPV, both fighters don't have a strong fan base and can't attract flies to you know what.
The real problem is probably the contractual rematch clause that forces Ward to fight the rematch in spite of it not making business sense. Ward will probably retire to avoid the rematch clause, and come back in a year or two. This probably wouldn't be too bad for fans because then there will be a box-off for the belts Ward drops.
Finally, someone makes sense. Instead of spouting barbaric caveman **** like "he's scared". If he wanted to retire out of fear he could've retired without even moving to 175. That said, I believe the rematch needs to happen, retiring now is unforgivable.
Ok, this probably wont be a popular view but I am ok with boxers retiring whenever they want even with matches that have in ways been left unsettled so to speak. It would be way different if Ward didn't retire and refused to rematch Kov, then I would be all over him. He is getting old and no doubt he is at least a little concerned a rematch with Kov would be another tough challenge that may not turn out his way next time. If he is getting ready to retire why not go out with less damage rather than more?
This comes down to money, Ward knows he's getting old by boxing standards. A rematch doesn't pay enough and if it's a copy of their first fight then Kovalev will want a third fight.