British fight fans were disappointed when Tyson Fury’s potential fight with Anthony Joshua disappeared into thin air – and so was former undefeated champion, Andre Ward.
Throughout his career, both amateur and professional, Ward was all about the plaudits – and once he had accomplished all he wanted to, he hung up the gloves for good. It’s an attitude the American would like to see the current WBC Heavyweight Champion, Tyson Fury, employ.
Speaking to Max Kellerman, Ward said Fury should be looking at legacy fights rather than keep-busy ones.
“I’m not in the business of picking a contender for a guy like Tyson Fury at this stage in his career. I don’t think that’s good business. If you’re gonna stay around, Tyson Fury, if you want to keep the people captivated, if you want to solidify your legacy, I don’t think you go backwards and start fighting these contenders like Charr. No disrespect, but he’s not at the level of the elite. Let’s just call it what it is.”
“So, it’s either Anthony Joshua or it’s Oleksandr Usyk. It’s one or the other. If not, I’m staying home and I’m enjoying the fruits of my labour. Why go backwards and do what he did two, three years ago when he was on his come up and trying to get his feet wet and get the rust off and put himself in positing to fight a Deontay Wilder? You don’t go backwards, you fight the elite or you just stay home.”
Of course, ‘The Gypsy King’ has tried to make both of the fights Ward mentions – although what went on behind the scenes is something we’ll never know. Whilst the Joshua fight seems like it may never happen, the undisputed bout with Oleksandr Usyk still feels likely for early next year.
In the meantime, Fury will announce his opponent for December 3 this week – and there’s a general consensus in the sport that it will be one of those fights Ward doesn’t want to see.