Oakland

‘I Did It. We Did It': Oakland Champion Andre Ward Retires From Boxing

The pound-for-pound king said he is retiring because his 'body can no longer put up with the rigors of the sport.'

Light heavyweight world titleholder Andre Ward on Thursday announced plans to "walk away from the sport of boxing."

Oakland's pound-for-pound king said that he is retiring because his "body can no longer put up with the rigors of the sport." That, in turn, has dimmed his "desire to fight," Ward said in a statement.

"If I cannot give my family, my team, and the fans everything that I have, then I should no longer be fighting," he wrote.

Having defeated Sergey Kovalev in June, Ward retired with a 32-0 record.

Thanking God for helping him do all that he's done, for as long as he has, Ward also expressed gratitude for "wonderful people" he met along the way and who have become his "friends for life."

Ward continued: "To the sport of boxing – I love you. You’ve been by my side since I was (10 years old). You’ve taught me so much. You’ve humbled me. You’ve promoted me. I’ve sacrificed a lot for you, but you’ve given me more than I ever thought possible."

He credited the sport for providing him with a "platform" and transforming him into a "champion" who was able to take care of his family. 

"As I walk away from the sport of boxing today, I leave at the top of your glorious mountain, which was always my vision and my dream," Ward wrote.

"I did it. We did it."

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