By Luis Sandoval

Andre Ward may not be fighting much at the moment due to his promotional issues but his name is often brought up as a possible opponent for some of the big names at 160, 168 and 175 pounds. One name in particular that is frequently brought up is WBO Middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin.

A fight between both undefeated champions has been brewing for some time but the fight has failed to materialize. Ward’s current litigation with promoter Dan Goossen has indeed complicated things even more but he still feels Golovkin and his team need to stop mentioning him if they aren’t serious about fighting him.

“My thing was just simply don’t bring my name up constantly as if you want to fight. I’m not a bully. I’m not chasing no 160 pounders or 154 pounders. When I keep hearing my name come up and I’m out and about and fans are asking me about it, I put the pressure on [Golovkin’s team]. I said man listen, either step up or stop bringing my name up. And they cleared up their position and I’m fine now,” said Ward.

Golovkin and his handlers have said he would be willing to fight anyone from 154 to 168 but up until now, no big names have taken the bait. A fight against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr seemed locked in place for this past July but then fell apart when Chavez refused to sign an extension with his promoter Top Rank. Golovkin’s promoter Tom Loeffler told BoxingScene a few weeks back that they’d still like to fight Chavez or even Carl Froch but felt that Ward didn’t make financial sense at the moment.

Ward was asked to give his thoughts regarding Loeffler’s statement.

“I think they made a mistake by that move that they made. They miscalculated and when Chavez pulled out and didn’t want to fight or whatever the situation was, they didn’t look good. My thing with Golovkin is I have nothing against Golovkin. I actually like Golovkin. I like his approach to the game. He’s humble and the kid can go, I’ve never disputed his skill set. He’s a silver medalist. He has heavy hands and he’s a good fighter. We don’t know how good he is. We don’t know how good any of us are until you fight the best. He hasn’t had that opportunity yet,” Ward would tell BoxingScene.

“But it’s the people around him that like to talk and have the smoke and mirrors. That’s the stuff that with me, I’m cut and dry. My thing is if there’s something there and we’re going to fight then let’s fight and if not, just be honest with the fans. And they clarified that so I’m good. I’m okay now, I’m moving on. He said he’s cleaning out 160 so I wish him nothing but the best”.

Ward is considered by many to be the second best fighter in the sport today and even with that prestigious title, securing a fight with the Golovkins and Kovalevs of the boxing world have not happened. Andre feels fighters should be gunning for his crown but instead have done the opposite.

“I just want the biggest and best fights out there. We hear a lot about giving the fans what they want to see and I don’t know man. I know if I was in any other era; if I was around with the Haglers, and the Roy Jones’ and Nigel Benn and Gerald McClennan, like these guys just wouldn’t let me be number two pound for pound and have a belt and not want what I have. If I was in any other era, so I don’t understand it right now. But my job is I’m not chasing these guys. I’m secure in what I’ve done. Of course I’d like to continue to close out my legacy the right way but I’m not chasing these guys. I’m not” said Ward.

There’s still not much clarity on Ward’s possibly return to the ring but when he does, he said he’s ready and willing to fight the best fighters available.

You can follow Luis Sandoval on Twitter & Instagram @Truewest007.