Bellew: We are negotiating with Andre Ward's team

British heavyweight Tony Bellew said his promoter is negotiating over a fight against former light heavyweight champion Andre Ward, who previously announced his retirement.

"We're talking to Ward's team. Eddie Hearn negotiated with his representatives. Ward says that he completed his career, but his team says different. We have been negotiating for the last six weeks. I left it to Hearn, but I highly appreciate Ward. But I believe that I can beat him.

"Ward can be defeated if it's not his day. There is a possibility that I will fight Andre after the rematch against David Haye. And I need Ward to be ready. Not optimistic? I'm a realist, not a dreamer. Ward is better than me. I can beat him only if he is not in the best shape, and I will choose the right tactics for the fight," Bellew said.

Andre Ward had his last fight in June 2017, when he won by a technical knockout over Sergey Kovalev.