Andre Ward

Bio

Unlike many fighters in the pro ranks today, Andre Ward chose boxing. It didn't choose him. Ward has boxing pedigree. His father Frank Ward was an undefeated heavyweight champion and inspired his son by regaling him with stories of hard fought battles and triumphant victories. Given the choice to fight or pursue other sports, young Andre chose boxing and has poured his mind, body and soul into becoming a world champion.

Some may say that today's top fighters have a tendency toward opulence and trash talking. But Ward stands apart as a moral compass and role model.

An accomplished amateur, Ward turned professional shortly after winning Olympic gold at the Athens Games in 2004. Ward is following in the footsteps of legendary pugilists like Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Sugar Ray Leonard and Oscar de la Hoya in translating a decorated amateur career into success as a professional.

A Bay Area native, Ward lives and trains at Oakland's Kings Gym under the tutelage of renowned trainer Virgil Hunter.

Ward dedicates all of his fights to his late father.

In His Own Words

"I'm just so excited. This is the opportunity that young fighters dream of and this is my opportunity to show the world that I not only want to win this tournament, but I want to be the reigning champion once I hang my gloves up.

"I think about the (world championship) belt every day. I'm so passionate about winning a world championship that sometimes when I talk about it I get tears in my eyes because I know it's my destiny—to be a world champion and not just an overnight sensation."

What's In it for Ward

The 2004 Olympic champion is peaking at the right time. Wins over the world-class fighters in the Super Six would make him the man to beat in the stacked 168-lbs division. This young fighter could parlay a Super Six Championship into a very long and lucrative Hall of Fame career.