Andre Ward has announced his retirement from boxing at age 33. The unified light heavyweight champion of the world, widely acknowledged by many as one of the best pugilist of all-time announced his retirement from the sport on Thursday.

In his statement made official via his website, the 2004 Olympic champion attributed his decision to physical challenges

“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.” – Ward

Profile:

Born Andre Michael Ward (February 23, 1984), he retired with an undefeated record of 32–0 and held eight world titles in two-weight classes, including the unified WBA (Undisputed), IBF, and WBO light heavyweight titles between 2016 and 2017.

He also held the unified WBA (Super), WBC, Ring, and lineal super middleweight titles between 2009 and 2015. As an amateur, Ward won a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 2004 Olympics (which remains the last time an American has topped the podium in men’s boxing), and turned professional later that year.

The last time Ward lost a fight was against John Revish at the 1997 National Silver Gloves tournament in Baton Rouge when he was 13.

In 2009, Ward married his high school sweetheart Tiffiney, with whom he has three sons and a daughter. Ward lives in Danville, California.