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Andre Ward Calls Out Anthony Joshua

Originally posted on Dice City Sports | By Robert LaMar | Last updated Aug 12, 2025 5:45 PM ET

Andre Ward, the undefeated former two division champion and 2021 Hall of Famer, has been steadfast in his decision to retire since walking away from boxing in 2017. But now, at 41, Ward says there’s one opponent who could tempt him to step back into the ring Anthony Joshua.

In a self recorded video posted to social media, Ward (32-0, 16 KOs) revealed that a bout with Joshua at Wembley Stadium would be the only fight worth ending his seven year retirement for.

“Me and Anthony Joshua that’s a fight I would take at Wembley Stadium,” Ward said. “Most days, I don’t miss it. I’m very content, doing what I’m doing in life right now, but I can see myself fighting him.”

All the smoke pic.twitter.com/aRZDdUSWDQ

— Andre S.O.G. Ward (@andreward) August 11, 2025

A Surprising Callout

Ward, who conquered the super middleweight and light heavyweight divisions before retiring at 33, was widely considered the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world after back-to-back wins over Sergey Kovalev in 2016 and 2017. Since then, he’s been a respected commentator and has turned down numerous comeback suggestions until now.

Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs), a former unified heavyweight champion, remains one of boxing’s most marketable stars despite a brutal knockout loss to Daniel Dubois last September at Wembley Stadium. While promoter Eddie Hearn has indicated that Joshua is likely to face Jake Paul next, Ward says his interest isn’t about spectacle — it’s about legacy.

“It’s a dangerous fight for my legacy, it’s a dangerous fight across the board,” Ward explained. “But that’s a fight that would get me in the gym and get me in the mindset that I need to be in to go to war. I know he’s getting ready to fight Jake Paul, but I’m talking about a real fight, for legacy.”

Joshua Responds

Joshua, 35, has yet to publicly address the idea beyond leaving a short comment on Ward’s video:

“Payday payday.”

While a Ward-Joshua showdown remains unlikely especially given the massive weight gap and Joshua’s current career trajectory the idea adds another surprising name to the growing list of fighters linked to the British star, which already includes Tyson Fury, Jake Paul, and now, Andre Ward.

This article first appeared on Dice City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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