Andre Ward / Getty Images

Andre Ward Reveals Interest in Facing Heavyweight Star for Boxing Comeback

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Prince Horton | Last updated Aug 11, 2025 9:39 PM ET

Undefeated former champion hints at stepping up to heavyweight for a blockbuster clash.

The last time fans saw Andre Ward inside the ring was in 2017, when he stepped through the ropes for a high-stakes rematch with Sergey Kovalev. Ward put on a masterclass, closing the show in the 8th round with a TKO that cemented his dominance and retained his light heavyweight titles. It was the kind of performance that left fans buzzing—and unknowingly served as his final act in the ring. Since then, speculation has swirled about whether the undefeated champion would ever lace up the gloves again, with whispers of Canelo Alvarez and even Jake Paul in the rumor mill. But now, Ward has made a clear statement on a massive challenge at heavyweight.

In a clip shared by Boxing Kingdom, Ward revealed genuine interest in moving up to heavyweight to face Anthony Joshua.

When asked if he missed boxing, Ward admitted he’s content with his current life but left the door open: ‘There’s not a lot of names that make sense but there’s one name. When you say that name, I can see myself fighting him and that’s Anthony Joshua. That’s a dangerous fight that I would take at Wembley Stadium. That’s a fight that would get me in the gym in the right mindset.’

JUST IN:

Andre Ward would consider fighting Anthony Joshua at Wembley stadium! pic.twitter.com/IKhyjjt68T
— Boxing Kingdom (@BoxingKingdom14) August 11, 2025

If it happens, this would mark Ward’s first fight at heavyweight. Some believe Joshua, coming off a KO loss to Daniel Dubois, may have lost a step, while Ward has been inactive for years—making the matchup in Wembley all the more intriguing.

Ward left his role as an ESPN boxing analyst in 2023 after his contract ended, wrapping up a six-year stint with the network. Since then, he has stayed active in the sport, serving as an analyst for Taylor vs. Serrano III, sparring with Terence Crawford in preparation for his bout against Israil Madrimov, and hosting The Art of Ward series on the All the Smoke Fight podcast. Whether it’s behind a microphone or between the ropes, Ward’s presence continues to command attention—and if this bout comes together, it could be one of boxing’s most fascinating comeback stories.

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

More must-reads: