Andre Ward’s Unexpected Callout Of Anthony Joshua For A Wembley Stadium Fight Met With Sarcasm

Andre Ward referred to as out Anthony Joshua at this time on Instagram, saying that he would come out of retirement “if the enterprise was proper.”

The 41-year-old former two-division world champion Ward (32-0, 17 KOs) hasn’t fought in eight years since retiring in 2017 after his knockout win over a washed Sergey Kovalev. He’s now desirous about returning if he can safe a combat in opposition to Joshua, supplied the negotiation phrases are to his liking.

Ward wasn’t a star even when he was nonetheless combating. Followers wouldn’t take the combat critically with Andre shifting up from 175 to battle 240+ lb Joshua at heavyweight. You possibly can perceive why Ward is looking out AJ. He sees Manny Pacquiao popping out of an eight-year retirement and instantly getting a $20 million payday, difficult for a world title in opposition to Mario Barrios. There are not any guidelines anymore within the sport.

Why Ward Needs Joshua Now

The payday could be huge for Ward if he acquired a combat in opposition to Joshua. As a substitute of dwelling in Dublin, California, Ward might afford to maneuver to Atherton or Hillsborough, California, the place the ultra-rich stay in large mansions within the Bay Space. The dimensions of he homes is harking back to the Gilded Age tycoon’s palaces of the early 1900s.

Joshua’s sarcastic response to Ward’s provide

AJ responded to the callout from Ward, saying, “Pay day. Pay day [Canelo voice].”

Joshua’s response would appear to be a powerful sign that he’s not desirous about combating Ward, and it’s comprehensible why. Ward has been retired for too lengthy, and he’s an unknown to the youthful followers who weren’t following the game throughout his prime years earlier than calling it quits in 2017.

Joshua is in negotiations for a mega-fight in opposition to Jake Paul that may very well be the largest combat financially within the sport. Paul is a large title on social media, and AJ is anticipated to get his greatest profession payday combating him. Simply think about two fights in opposition to Jake. Joshua’s internet value would skyrocket, doubtlessly to the $300 million vary. It’s at the moment at $150 million.

If AJ have been to combat Ward, the cash could be rooster feed as compared, and he’d be losing a combat for nothing. In addition to Jake Paul, Joshua might have good paydays combating Daniel Dubois in a rematch, Tyson Fury if he comes out of retirement, or Oleksandr Usyk.

Ward’s business-first comeback plan

“I get requested on a day-to-day foundation. ‘Do you miss boxing, and for those who got here again, who would you combat?’” mentioned Andre Ward on Instagram at this time. “Most days I don’t miss it. I’m very content material doing what I’m doing in life proper now. Who would I combat? That’s the issue.

“There’s a variety of names on the market, however not a variety of names that make sense. However there’s one title that I introduced up earlier than. While you say that title, I might see myself combating him current day at this time.

“If the enterprise was proper and every little thing was proper on that entrance. Me and Anthony Joshua. That’s a combat that I might take at Wembley Stadium. It’s a harmful combat for my legacy. It’s a harmful combat throughout the board, however that’s a combat that will get me within the health club and get me within the mindset that I should be in to go to conflict. It’s Anthony Joshua.

“I do know he’s on the brink of combat Jake Paul. That’s what it’s going. I’m speaking about an actual combat for legacy,” mentioned Ward.

The Ward comeback is eight years late

It’s too late for Andre Ward. He’s been retired for too lengthy, and he was by no means an enormous PPV star earlier than he hung up his gloves. He wasn’t that sort of fighter. He ought to have come out of retirement years in the past if he wished to be blessed with a payday in opposition to Joshua or one other large title like Fury. Now, it’s too late. He’s 41, and never sufficient folks nonetheless bear in mind him.