Andre Ward admits talk of his retirement is aimed at "getting the right deal" in negotiations over a rematch with Sergey Kovalev.

Ward beat Kovalev on a unanimous points decision in November to win the IBF, WBA and WBO light heavyweight titles and is committed to a second fight after a rematch clause was triggered.

The undefeated American has since made noises about calling time on his career if an agreement cannot be reached.

"It's about getting the right deal. It's about putting myself in the right situation. I've earned it," he told TMZ Sport.

"I've been doing this a long time and we've just got to see.

"I think the rematch is something that obviously we're entertaining and is something that should take place.

"Kovalev is making a lot of excuses and some of the stuff is laughable. It was a close fight but it was a close fight that I won.

"If it's right, let's do it."

Discussing the size of the fee that would get a deal done, Ward added: "I don't get involved in that. That's business one-on-one. You don't get involved in that stuff publicly."