Former pound-for-pound king Andre Ward responds to Tony Bellew’s call-out

There are very few bouts that would persuade Tony Bellew to keep fighting.

Bellew has made no secret of the fact that retirement remains a very likely option after his second victory over British rival David Haye. The Liverpool fighter needed just five rounds to put Haye away on Saturday night, possibly forcing an end to his career, and everybody wanted to know what Bellew had planned next after earning the biggest win of his career to date. "It will take something absolutely ridiculous to make me do it again," Bellew told Sky Sports News.

"Something huge. It would have to be massive because I'm happy with what I've done. I've proven everyone wrong."

'Bomber' did mention a handful of names when pressed to reveal who he'd like to fight next. A clash with the returning Tyson Fury continues to interest Bellew and so too does the prospect of reclaiming his world cruiserweight title against Oleksandr Usyk. But Bellew reserved arguably the most ambitious call-out for Andre Ward, the former light heavyweight champion and pound-for-pound great who shocked the world with the decision to hang up his gloves last year. The undefeated Ward has repeatedly toyed with the idea of returning to the ring at a heavier weight but, judging by his response to Bellew, he's not interested in that particular fight right now.

"I've been blessed, man," Ward told FightHype.

"I just got off the set for Creed 2 and I'm on my way right now to the set for The Contender. I've had a great opportunity to host that show - I'm focused on that right now. I wish Tony nothing but the best."

When asked if he would entertain an offer from Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn, Ward revealed that he'd had no contact with Hearn since rumours of a rematch with Carl Froch did the rounds in 2013.

"I've been waiting on a phone call from Eddie since the Froch situation happened, when he fought [Mikkel] Kessler for the second time," Ward said. "I've been waiting on Eddie to pick up the phone and I still haven't gotten that phone call."