Andre Ward: We asked fighters, trainers and pundits what made Andre Ward stand out

Andre Ward was one of the world's pound-for-pound best before shocking the sport by calling it a day. So what will fighters, trainers, pundits - and LeBron James - remember him for?

LeBron James

Johnny Nelson

It is a shame. For years he was quoted as one of the best out there but we just didn't see enough of him. Through injury or contractual issues, that was always a problem for me, but you can't deny technically he was top drawer.

His decision tells me he is in complete control and it was either just down to injury or just that he no longer loved the sport as much as he should due to the physical problems. But he is walking away at the very top and you have to respect him to the max.

Paulie Malignaggi

Jamie Moore

I didn't really appreciate how good Ward was until after his win over Carl Froch. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and now he has retired, I think people will really start to realise how good he was. It was the same when Lennox Lewis retired - we suddenly became aware of what we were missing.

His defence was outstanding, you just couldn't nail him down and his timing was excellent. To see what he does on the inside was unreal because the small, subtle things he did, set him apart from most other boxers.

Joe Gallagher

David Coldwell

I've got to be honest, I am disappointed that the third Kovalev fight won't happen, or the undisputed light-heavyweight fight with Adonis Stevenson. I think Ward would've won them both, but it's a shame.

He was a brilliant fighter to watch but for mainstream fans? No, not in the slightest. For purists and fighters, he was a dream to watch, a master of the ring. The way he could read fights and fighters was fantastic to see as well.

Badou Jack

James DeGale

For me personally, he was the best pound-for-pound in the world. He was a genius in the ring. He has had a fantastic career.

He cleaned up the super-middleweight division, he moved up to light-heavyweight and cleaned that up, he has earned his money and achieved what he set out to do - and more. To be unified champion of two weights and having been in some big, big fights, good luck to him.

Ashley Theophane

Carl Froch

I won't be sad to see the back of him. It's not sour grapes. I know he beat me, but I never really got that excited when he boxed. Andre Ward used to nullify his opponent and don't get me wrong, he's a class act, he knows what he's doing and he knows how to win.

I think he's unbeaten since he was 12 years old, or something ridiculous. He's retired at the top and not everyone gets to do that. I retired at the top and sometimes it's the best way to go out.

Live Fight Night International