A bitter contract dispute comes at a bad time for Andre Ward

"Every time a fighter stands up, it's not a bad thing," Ward said. "I want to be in the ring more than anyone else wants me to be in the ring. This is

Chris Mannix | May 7, 2014

A bitter contract dispute comes at a bad time for Andre Ward /

Andre Ward (left) is thriving in his prime, but a dispute with his promoter may complicate his future. — Andre Ward (left) is thriving in his prime, but a dispute with his promoter may complicate his future :: Reed Saxon/AP

"Every time a fighter stands up, it's not a bad thing," Ward said. "I want to be in the ring more than anyone else wants me to be in the ring. This is literally how I feed my family. I'm building up so much hunger [during] these trials and tribulations. I'm not getting fat, I'm not getting upset. My time is going to come. When I get past this, the flood gates are going to open."

Published May 7, 2014

CHRIS MANNIX

Chris Mannix is a senior writer at Sports Illustrated covering the NBA and boxing beats. He joined the SI staff in 2003 following his graduation from Boston College. Mannix is the host of SI's "Open Floor" podcast and serves as a ringside analyst and reporter for DAZN Boxing. He is also a frequent contributor to NBC Sports Boston as an NBA analyst. A nominee for National Sportswriter of the Year in 2022, Mannix has won writing awards from the Boxing Writers Association of America and the Pro Basketball Writers Association, and is a longtime member of both organizations.