Andre Ward explains why Tyson Fury has made retirement U-turn with personal story

Boxing legend Andre Ward believes Tyson Fury is struggling to leave the sport behind, but is backing his decision to make a comeback.

Fury announced he would once again go back on his decision to hang up his gloves, having vowed to never fight again after back-to-back defeats against Oleksandr Usyk.

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The ‘Gypsy King’ later confirmed his comeback fight will take place against Russian giant Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11 live on Netflix.

In the past, the Briton has spoken open and honestly about his difficulty coping with a hiatus from the ring, the ultimate reason which lures him back in.

And boxing legend Andre Ward, in an exclusive chat with talkSPORT, has opened up about his own turbulent time turning his back on the sport.

The undefeated icon went 32 professional fights undefeated before retiring, but he has since toyed with the idea of a return including a clash with Anthony Joshua.

Although never returning, the now analyst Ward believes it is a perfectly acceptable decision from Fury, but insists retirement is necessary at the right time.

He told talkSPORT’s Adam Catterall: “I think he is just trying to figure it all out.

“Retirement is one of the best things you can do, and one of the best experiences that I’ve had.

“But it is also one of the most difficult things to do and strangest things.

“My pastor told me ‘Dre retirement is like a death, it will hit you in the waves and it will all come rushing back and you have to deal with the emotions of it’.

“The emotion of winning a fight, for that to be taken away, it is hard for your brain and body to accept.

“I empathise with Tyson Fury and the journey he is going through. He’s working out who he is, if he can still do it and if it is safe.

“I don’t knock him for doing it, but I hope he gets to some point where he can retire with enough peace and purpose outside of the sport.”

Fury’s comeback – who could he face?

Of course, Fury will first need to negotiate any potential challenges posed by Canadian-based bruiser Makhmudov imminently.

But it is expected he will blast through this test before pursuing bigger name bouts at the end of the year.

Several options could lay on the table, with a framework of an agreement previously in place for a clash against bitter rival Joshua.

But AJ was involved in a car crash which killed two of his friends in Nigeria, and his future in the sport remains up in the air.

Alternatively a world title shot against WBO champion Fabio Wardley has been verbally agreed by the pair.

And a trilogy and an opportunity to avenge his defeats to Usyk will likely always be prominent.