There are 60.310 boxer records, at least 559.584 bouts and 9.605 news archived

Home Italy Schedule Results Ratings Amateur Records Amateur Encyclopedia Contacts Reserved Area

News

ANDRE WARD IS READY TO GET BACK TO WORK

 

 

Comeback king: After 3 inactive years, Andre Ward eager for ring return with Jay Z's promotion

By GREG BEACHAM  AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES — Andre Ward wrote out his retirement speech a few times in the last two years. With his usual fastidious style, the super middleweight champion laid out every reason he felt he had to end his unblemished boxing career in his prime.

Yet every time Ward was pushed to the brink in his long-running dispute with his promoter, friends and colleagues talked him out of retirement. He never spoke or emailed the words he had written.

"I saved them, just to be able to reflect on those raw emotions one day," Ward told The Associated Press. "But somebody would always call me and say, 'Listen, man. It's not time. You've got a lot left. This is going to pass. Get back. Just hold on until you can get back. This is not going to last forever.' That's what helped me."

When Ward finally got through the drama, Jay Z was on the other side.

After fighting just twice in the past three-plus years, Ward (27-0, 14 KOs) is ready to get back to work. He has signed with Roc Nation Sports, becoming the centerpiece of the fledgling boxing promotion backed by the hip-hop mogul.

Ward, who turns 31 next month, filled his inactive months with an HBO commentary job and ample family time with his wife and four children. He had several legal setbacks in his attempts to break up with the promoter who had backed him since his gold-medal run at the Athens Olympics, and the unpleasant dispute made him dread going out in Oakland, California, his hometown.

"You can only tell people, 'Just be patient, just hang on, I'm going to have some good news soon,' so many times," Ward said. "It got to the point where you almost don't want to see the fans, because you don't have anything positive to talk about."

Ward feels the ordeal educated his oldest sons about perseverance through adversity, even when their friends at school wondered why their dad wasn't fighting anymore.

"Of course, you're going to have that element of people saying your career is over," Ward said. "That's just part of it. But much more than that, I had people encouraging me, people saying, 'Man, I just want to see you back.' That's what it's all about, and I don't take that lightly. So as I'm coming back, I have those fans in mind."

Ward made a somewhat surprising choice with Roc Nation Sports, an amalgam of veteran boxing executives and new money trying to seize a prominent place in the sport. Ward has had the same trainer and manager throughout his career, but he sees possibilities in something new.

"Their structure, their vision, just what they're trying to accomplish in the sport, is a little bit different than the norm," Ward said. "Coming off what I came off the last few years, I wanted to try something different, and they could do it."

Ward posed for a photo with Jay Z while signing his new contract, and the boxer has been surprised to learn the rapper's level of engagement in this new venture.

"He acts like he doesn't have as much going on as he does, and I'm sure this is probably a skill that he's mastered over the years," Ward said. "You wouldn't know that he is who he is. He's totally engaged, 100 percent, and that excited me."

Ward wants to fight two or three times per year. Although he probably will start with a tuneup fight, he has a list of desirable opponents at 168 pounds, including Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. or a rematch with Britain's Carl Froch.

Ward also said he would gladly fight Gennady Golovkin, the much-avoided middleweight champion. But Golovkin would have to move up to 168 pounds, because Ward isn't eager to leave his weight class just yet, even with several tantalizing potential matchups at 175 pounds.

Ward doesn't feel his stardom has diminished. In fact, he believes his inactivity will make people even hungrier to see him. He also thinks a career break has long-term benefits, suggesting Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s extended absences preserved his health to fight deep into his 30s at a world-class level.

"I didn't think I could appreciate the sport any more than I did, or be more hungry than I was," Ward said. "But when something is taken away from you, it should be a natural response to have a greater appreciation when you're able to get it back, as well as a deeper hunger."

Source: www.greenfieldreporter.com/view/story/e8025cbce5994c1e84b5448c3c7fd6b7/BOX--Wards-Exile

 

 

 

 

 

 

Archive

PERSSON'S EURO RESULTS

EURO RESULTS By Per-Ake Persson Dec 8, Glattbrugg, SWI: 8x3: Luigi Francisco Zito, 70.3. Ita KO 8 Venhar Haziri, Kos Medical suspension for 28 days for Haziri. ...

12/12/2024

PERSSON'S EURO RESULTS

EURO RESULTS By Per-Ake Persson Dec 1, Mantova, ITA: Hassan Kobba, 73, Ita W 6 Giampaolo Sazzini, 72.400, Ita Mohammed Graich, 70.700, Mor/Ita TW 4 Ir...

05/12/2024

PERSSON'S EURO RESULTS

EURO RESULTS By Per-Ake Persson Nov 24, Valladolid, SPA: 10x2, atomw: Isabel Rivero, Spa W10-U Erika Bolivar, Ven Rovero won the vacant WBA Ibero-Am...

29/11/2024

PERSSON'S EURO RESULTS

EURO RESULTS By Per-Ake Persson Nov 17, Moscow, RUS, Titov Boxing 6x3: Shirkhan Huseynov, 59,84, TKO 1 (0.55) Bagdat Uaydayev, 59,92, 6x3: Ivan Romanchuk, 73,7,&n...

22/11/2024

PERSSON'S EURO RESULTS

EURO RESULTS By Per-Ake Persson Nov 4, Samara, RUS, IBA / Iron & Gloves Promotion / PJC Gazprom 67kg: Khariton Agrba, Rus W10-U Gabriel Rosa, Arg ...

06/11/2024

PERSSON'S EURO RESULTS

EURO RESULTS By Per-Ake Persson Oct 26, Yerevan, ARM: IBA & Iron & Gloves (Kirill Shchekutyev) IBA Champion's Night 10x3, Murat Gassiev, 104,6, Arm ...

02/11/2024

PERSSON'S EURO RESULTS

EURO RESULTS By Per-Ake Persson Oct 12, Gothenburrg, SWE, Jazyc's, Armand Boxing Promotion 10x2: Linn Sandstrom, 52,15, Aus W10-U Camila Campos, 52,15, Bol ...

16/10/2024

PERSSON'S EURO RESULTS

EURO RESULTS By Per-Ake Persson Oct. 6, Parma, ITA: lth: Beh Alassane Traore, IC/Ita V KO _ Borislav Gligoric, BA Female: sft: Jessica Bellusci, Ita...

09/10/2024

Other news

02/10/2022 - EDER JOFRE DEAD 86
12/10/2021 - Tony DeMarco passes
15/03/2021 - RUMBLE IN DAR
14/12/2017 - R.I.P. KENNY BARR
09/03/2017 - LOU DUVA DIES AT 94
19/02/2017 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
14/02/2017 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
06/02/2017 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
04/01/2017 - EURO NEWS
20/12/2016 - EURO NEWS
15/12/2016 - EURO NEWS
08/12/2016 - EURO NEWS
02/12/2016 - EURO NEWS
28/11/2016 - EURO NEWS
24/11/2016 - EURO NEWS
21/11/2016 - EURO NEWS
19/10/2016 - EURO NEWS
12/10/2016 - EURO NEWS
06/10/2016 - EURO NEWS
04/10/2016 - NORDIC NEWS
28/09/2016 - EURO NEWS
24/09/2016 - EURO NEWS
20/09/2016 - EURO NEWS
15/09/2016 - EURO NEWS
06/09/2016 - EURO NEWS
30/08/2016 - EURO NEWS
26/08/2016 - EURO NEWS
18/08/2016 - NORDIC NEWS
28/07/2016 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
27/07/2016 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
17/07/2016 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
13/07/2016 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
05/07/2016 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
30/06/2016 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
27/06/2016 - GERMAN NEWS
21/06/2016 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
13/06/2016 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
07/06/2016 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
06/06/2016 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
02/06/2016 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
26/05/2016 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
24/05/2016 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
23/05/2016 - ARSLAN BACK JUNE 4
19/05/2016 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
14/05/2016 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
30/01/2016 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
29/12/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
23/12/2015 - THE TEPER CASE
18/12/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
07/12/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
24/11/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
20/11/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
14/11/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
09/11/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
20/10/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
12/10/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
06/10/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
03/10/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
28/09/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
25/09/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
17/09/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
10/09/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
02/09/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
18/08/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
10/08/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
03/08/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
31/07/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
25/07/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
14/07/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
30/06/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
28/06/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
23/06/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
22/06/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
13/06/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
05/06/2015 - THE REAL ROCKYS
01/06/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
21/05/2015 - IL FIGHTER D'ITALIA
04/05/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
29/04/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
18/04/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
14/04/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
09/04/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
23/03/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
19/03/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
16/03/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
07/03/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
03/03/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
23/02/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
17/02/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
15/02/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
01/02/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
27/01/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
25/01/2015 - MARSILI vs TATLI?
15/01/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
15/01/2015 - 2014 WBF AWARDS
11/01/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
09/01/2015 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
06/01/2015 - SCANDINAVIAN NEWS
22/12/2014 - FRITZ SDUNEK PASSES
15/12/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
11/12/2014 - GERMAN NEWS
01/12/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
27/11/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
15/11/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
03/11/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
28/10/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
30/09/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
20/09/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
13/09/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
04/09/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
27/08/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
13/08/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
04/08/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
23/07/2014 - YANCHY vs SATCHELL
22/07/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
11/07/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
22/06/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
10/06/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
03/06/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
26/05/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
23/05/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
19/05/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
19/05/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
13/05/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
29/04/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
18/04/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
08/04/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
06/04/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
31/03/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
26/03/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
23/03/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
19/03/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
14/03/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
11/03/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
10/03/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
06/03/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
04/03/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
25/02/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
24/02/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
21/02/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
20/02/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
19/02/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
07/02/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
30/01/2014 - SPANISH NEWS
28/01/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
13/01/2014 - GYULA TOROK PASSES
12/01/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
09/01/2014 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
14/12/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
10/12/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
26/11/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
21/11/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
19/11/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
18/11/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
15/11/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
14/11/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
12/11/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
22/10/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
14/10/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
08/10/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
03/10/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
30/09/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
16/09/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
08/09/2013 - MARCO HUCK INJURED
06/09/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
03/09/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
06/08/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
23/07/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
15/07/2013 - VARON STOPPED
10/07/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
02/07/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
25/06/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
23/06/2013 - CARAMELITO NEWS
21/06/2013 - PULEV vs DIMITRENKO
18/06/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
11/06/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
11/06/2013 - HOT ITALIAN SUMMER
10/06/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
03/06/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
19/05/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
12/05/2013 - NSUBUGA PASSES
12/05/2013 - MAGNUSSEN PASSES
07/05/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
23/04/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
18/04/2013 - OPI 2000 NEWS
08/04/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
19/03/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
08/03/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
11/02/2013 - BEDAK RETURNS
27/01/2013 - KASPERSKI RETIRES
26/01/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
21/01/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
15/01/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
03/01/2013 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
01/01/2013 - HAPPY NEW YEAR
26/12/2012 - CHARR DEFEATS AIRIC
25/12/2012 - HAPPY HOLIDAYS
22/12/2012 - GROVES vs NDIAYE
16/11/2012 - RUMBLE OF THE KINGS
12/11/2012 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
31/10/2012 - HASKINS vs JAMOYE
23/10/2012 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
19/10/2012 - ROSSITTO vs BACURIN
11/10/2012 - SES SHOW NOV 16
11/10/2012 - BOYTSOV ILL
08/10/2012 - ABRAHAM vs BOUADLA
28/09/2012 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
26/09/2012 - RABCHENKO vs VITU
24/09/2012 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
20/09/2012 - SANTOS vs NADER
10/09/2012 - FIGHT 4 PEACE
06/09/2012 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
04/09/2012 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
02/09/2012 - RESULTS FROM YSTAD
26/08/2012 - KESSLER vs ABRAHAM?
21/08/2012 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
17/08/2012 - HAAPOJA vs VERSACI
10/08/2012 - PARODI vs OBA
07/08/2012 - PIANTEA vs BOTHA
03/08/2012 - ZAVECK INJURED
30/07/2012 - WBC WEEKEND SUMMARY
26/07/2012 - ABOUT UNIVERSUM
17/07/2012 - PERSSON'S EURO NEWS
06/07/2012 - BETTINI PASSES