Would you like a sterner challenge for your next fight?

Obviously pay-per-view is the next step and that’s what we’re shooting for. We are targeting Gennady Golovkin right now, whether that’s next or the one after, there’s a lot to be done to make that fight happen. He keeps saying he wants to fight me and it’s a match-up the fans want to see. A year or two ago it was not the right time, but I think now is. I’m not chasing him but everybody is saying they want to give fans what they want to see. I’m in the category of guys like Floyd Mayweather, Roy Jones and Bernard Hopkins – I’m not comparing myself to them in every aspect – but when you win a lot and it looks easy, sometimes the media have a standard set for you and they take away from your performance, saying the guy was too small, but if Golovkin beats me he’s the greatest fighter in the world; that’s just the way it is.

For the full exclusive interview, which includes Ward’s thoughts on fighting Sergey Kovalev and much more don’t miss the latest issue of Boxing News magazine, in shops Thursday but available on the Boxing New App now. CLICK HERE