History Will Not Be Kind To Andre Ward

Upon hearing the news of Ward's retirement, I have to say I was very disappointed though not surprised. Not that I'm a fan of Ward however it is clearly evident that he has several more fights left in him at the top that would have been great for boxing.

I've read that he feels that his body can no longer take the demands of sport. This is the same man who was saying he was in the best shape of his life prior to the Kovalev rematch and now all of a sudden it's broken down?! Ward should not take all boxing fans for fools! It is clear there are other factors at play here and rather there being organic reasons for retiring, I believe it is both mental and political. A man who does not wish to throw the dice once more, out of cowardice. History will see to it that he took the easy way out instead of taking on the necessary challenges which could have truly cemented him as a genuine legend.

This decision will ruin what was otherwise on course for a great ATG career had he continued on and silenced all the naysayers, who I might add, are well within the rights to question this man's credentials. A man who calls himself the 'Son Of God'' Forgive us for assuming that he would be able to achieve great feats.

When we carefully observe his record there is no question that he has faced formidable foes, however it has often been too far in between with well documented long lay offs and inactivity, which you can rightly argue were things beyond his control.

There is indeed legitimate wins with Froch and Abraham. The other two big opponents were Kessler and Kovalev, both fights ending with big question marks concerning the legitimacy decisions to award Ward victory, after both bouts involved questionable judging, wayward officiating and home town advantages.

Now when all of the smoke has cleared, and we think with clarity looking back in time, can we honestly say that this man deserves to be flooded with accolades and went through every single top opponent with conclusive victories and and had no unfinished business?

Ward is highly aware of the media and fan's criticisms directed his way concerning his style, his aversion to fighting outside of his country and of course speculation concerning his alliances with judges and officials.

I say, true champions go out of their way to silence their critics and prove them wrong and want to continue to beat those who they consider to be threat their thrown. Yet Ward has gone the opposite direction of where a true great champion would tread.

This is a man who is reluctant to honor rematch clauses let alone freely agree to one in order to clear any controversies. He hasn't proven that he is capable of fighting outside of the U.S without hometown officials and judges who stamp approvals. And he has not done anything to in his last several fights to dispel notion that he is an outright cheat.

The man only turned 33 several months ago and has now retired off the back of two questionable wins - one which was downright lllegal - just so he could stroke his ego and say he was undefeated. This is arguably what you would call a hit and run.

Beterbeiv, Canelo and GGG were all waiting in the wings, willing and ready to do battle with anyone providing the price is right, yet Ward would hear nothing of it. He went on record and outright refused to consider fighting GGG after fighting Kovalev. This after offering him unrealistic terms several years back when he knew GGG was already contracted to fight someone else.

All just so he could attempt to shame GGG by running to tell the media that GGG turned it down without even disclosing the clauses. Now GGG was free and ready he has now decided to retire and to be quite honest, I do not blame him. For Ward should be bowing down on his knees before retiring to bed every single night and thanking his God Yahweh for delivering him away from ever having to share a ring with GGG.

It would have been a real champion vs a counterfeit one who is only concerned with the the number 0 on their record. GGG is 36 and has no intention of stopping. This is a man who will not rest until every belt is strapped around his waist and not until he has conquered every single challenger who dares to contest for his throne

 

He's nothing but a coward.