Virgil Hunter, trainer for former unified super middleweight and light heavyweight champion Andre Ward (32-0, 16 KOs), would not rule out the possibility of his boxer returning to the ring to face former cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew (29-2-1, 19 KOs) - if the offer is right.
Ward, 33 years old, retired from boxing last year, a few months after gaining a stoppage win over Sergey Kovalev in their June rematch.
In the last few weeks, there have been rumblings of Ward heading up to the heavyweight division for a major fight - rumblings that Hunter rules out for the moment.
Prior to Ward's retirement, there was some talk of a fight with Bellew at cruiserweight.
But, Bellew was not very happy with the terms that were on the table, and he decided to go in another direction by finalizing a rematch with heavyweight David Haye, scheduled for May 5th at the O2 Arena in London.
If Bellew wins, and his team wants to throw a mountain of money to lure Ward in the ring - Hunter can't rule out that possibility.
“He’s always staying ready. Again it would have to be an offer that makes sense and you take it from there. You never say never,” Hunter said of Ward to Boxing News. “It just depends on what the offer would be. I’m sure the fight would pay for itself.”
Bellew has actively stated in recent weeks that he doesn't plan to stick around in the heavyweight division - and intends to return to the cruiserweight ranks - potentially against the winner of the World Boxing Super Series.
Hunter makes it known that Ward is not training for any targeted fight, but simply to stay in shape.
He expects Ward to remain retired, but if Bellew's team reach out to them with a big number - there might a conversation worth exploring.
“If they put enough money on the table, you would have to consider it. I think that fight was talked about [in the past], if I’m not mistaken. Bellew didn’t like the terms so that’s why it didn’t take off,” Hunter said.
“We definitely know it would be massive over there [in the UK]. I’ve actually spoken with Eddie [Hearn] about that and we know whatever arena it is, it’ll be sold out. If the fight ever had taken place, it would be a massive fight over there. But if Bellew really wants to fight, I don’t know what the terms were, I don’t know what he was unhappy about. I just heard him mention it. I don’t know the particulars about it or anything… It probably should have been a fight he [Bellew] should have took.”
2023-10-20 11:08:30
