Undefeated light-heavyweight champion Andre Ward has announced his retirement from boxing.
The 33-year-old held titles at super-middleweight but moved up a weight division and unified the WBA, IBF and WBO light-heavyweight belts in 2016.
Ward cemented his status as the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world after his rematch victory over Sergey Kovalev in June, stretching his unbeaten record to 32 victories,
However, the American has admitted that his body can no longer withstand the physical demands of the sport.
A statement on Ward's official website read: "As I walk away from the sport of boxing today, I leave at the top of your glorious mountain, which was always my vision and my dream. I did it. We did it.
"From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who has played a part in my journey. You know who you are. I could not have done this without you. I want to be clear - I am leaving because my body can no longer put up with the rigors of the sport and therefore my desire to fight is no longer there.
"If I cannot give my family, my team, and the fans everything that I have, then I should no longer be fighting. Above all, I give God the Glory, for allowing me to do what I've done, for as long as I have."
Before turning professional in 2004, Ward also had a glittering amateur career, highlighted by his light-heavyweight gold medal at the Athens Olympics.
Giuseppe Labellarte
