Stevenson: Ward is Hiding, Not Retired

While WBC Light Heavyweight Champion Adonis Stevenson has a multitude of upcoming challengers, including Badou Jack, there’s another matchup that has captured Stevenson’s interest.

As reported by Boxing Scene, while he is prepared for Jack — who challenges Stevenson on May 19 in Montreal — and not taking him lightly, Stevenson may have some interest in a bout with retired former unified light heavyweight champion Andre Ward.

Ward retired following a title defense against Sergey Kovalev back in June, but he has teased a return to the ring — possibly at heavyweight. Stevenson says he doesn’t believe Ward is truly retired.

“He is playing a game. He is always playing a game,” Stevenson said. “He is a smart fighter. He is a strategist. He is always strategic. He says he retired but I don’t believe it. He is just looking for a good opportunity and when he gets a good opportunity he will jump on it so don’t be surprised if he comes back even at a different weight.

He don’t want to fight me. I know that. Since 168, when I was at 168 I wanted to fight him and he never asked to fight me so I know he doesn’t want to fight me since I was at 168. So now he retired but I know he isn’t retired, it is just strategic.

If Stevenson defeats Jack, he will have to meet the winner of a March 17 interim title fight between Oleksandr Gvozdyk and Mehdi Amar. A win in that bout would then require Stevenson to face mandatory challenger Eleider Alvarez, who will be allowed a fight in the interim.

Original Story: Boxing Scene