Leaving the sport as it’s best fighter following victory over the Russian monster, Ward’s place at the top was taken by Canelo following wins over Gennadiy Golovkin and later, Kovalev. With Canelo operating in weight classes where Ward sampled success, does any animosity exist between the pair? Ward doesn’t think so. 

“I don’t have no history with that guy,” said Ward when speaking to FightHype. “The Internet, since I’ve retired, they’ve come up with this rivalry that’s not real. This man [Canelo] has never said my name pertaining to a fight when I was active or when I was retired. 

“I’ve never said his name. This all came is because I’m retired, and he fought a common opponent [Kovalev]. Even after that fight, he never said my name, and I don’t think he will ever say my name like that in terms of wanting to fight.” 

Ward added, “I don’t have any history with Canelo. There’s nothing there to preserve or be worried about. He’s just another fighter on the other side of the ring from somebody I consider a friend. So, really there’s nothing there.”