Undefeated Boxing Champ Andre Ward's Reason For Retiring Is Powerful — And Necessary

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED https://t.co/FTBBwubLsd pic.twitter.com/dtQppu8pAZ

— Andre S.O.G. Ward (@andreward) September 21, 2017

Ward appeared on ESPN’s First Take via phone to elaborate upon his sudden decision and shine a light on the side of boxing that fans don't see and often don't want to hear. While the show's hosts were incredulous about Ward's shock decision, he stayed firm, chuckling even as Max Kellerman reminded him that he was walking away from status and millions of dollars.

“People see what I do fight night. They see under the lights, but they don't see the toil, they don't see the grind, they don't see just the pain, the physical pain that you go through, not just in the fights, but to prepare and to get ready for those battles,” he said.

The Speed and Power Boxing Circuit:

"I felt the physicality of the sport, not just in the ring stuff, but the training and the preparation, start to take its toll on me for the last two or three years, and I bit down and continued to push through, and at this point, it's time, and I know it's time.”

"I've been boxing for 23 years and obviously this sport takes a toll on you. Just the cumulative effect of all the training and all the fights, it just starts to wear on you. And when your physical body starts to wear on you then it starts to take your desire. And when you don't have the desire and you don't have the ability, physically, to go out there and prepare the way you need to, you shouldn't be in a boxing ring," Ward explained. "My goal was was always to retire from this sport and not let the sport retire me."

Ward wrapped up his pro career with a perfect 32-0 record, with 16 of those wins coming by way of knockout. During his run as a paid fighter he won both the super middleweight title, as well as the light heavyweight title (the latter of which he held when he retired). He also became the first American to win a gold at the Olympics in eight years when he took home that particular medal for the Light Heavyweight division at the 2004 games in Athens.

Ward's retirement will come as a disappointment to many, but his decision — made after talking to other boxers, he said — is both sound and necessary. While Ward will always love boxing, he's not wrong about the sport's many dangers, from fractures and concussions to CTE. We hope he continues speaking out.