Andre "S.O.G." Ward Official Website

The principals at Air Jordan, a division of Nike, Inc, impressed by his limitless potential and tremendous work ethic, made Andre only the second professional boxer signed to an endorsement deal with the Beaverton, Oregon-based company. In signing the deal, Andre joined the great Roy Jones, Jr. as the only boxing participants in the “Sweet Science” so honored by Jordan, joining the likes of other sports superstars Carmelo Anthony, Jason Kidd and Ray Allen (NBA); Derek Jeter and Andruw Jones (MLB); and Marvin Harrison, Randy Moss and Jason Taylor (NFL). 
 
RELATIONSHIP WITH FANS
 
“I want to touch as many people as I possibly can,” says Andre. 
 
“My good friend and brother in Christ, Transparent, often says,  ‘I do Life with people’ and that’s what I want.  I want to do Life with my fans.”
 
PERSONAL
 
Born in San Francisco, in February 1984, Andre grew up in Hayward, CA (just 10 minutes south of Oakland) where he attended Fairview Elementary, Brett Harte Junior High, and Hayward High Schools. He moved to Oakland with his mother in his mid-teens where he is still training at King’s Gym.
 
He was nine when his father, Frank Ward, took him to US Karate and Boxing in Hayward for his first boxing lesson where Frank’s philosophy was for his son to hit without getting hit.  From the beginning, Andre’s talent shone.
 
Veteran Trainer Virgil Hunter spotted Andre immediately and took Andre under his wing.  As his trainer, Virgil works with Andre to nurture his talent, develop his skills, and build his stamina.  Andre’s dedication, commitment, and determination came from his father.
 
Andre arrived at the gym every day, ready to learn, showing tremendous work ethic and maturity beyond his years.
 
Although he started boxing at age 9, he fell in love with baseball and made the All Stars in Little League playing both pitcher and shortstop.  In high school, he switched to football.  Despite being forbidden to play by both Frank and Virgil, Andre figured out a way to maintain his boxing training, attend football practice and go out for the team.  He thought he had fooled his father until one game at half-time, when he saw Frank and Virgil step onto the football field.  Andre sneaked back into the locker room, changed into street clothes and met his father and mentor acting like nothing was amiss, but the charade was over.  Despite their initial reluctance, Andre played as both running back and safety.  Although he attracted interest from college recruiters, he decided at that time to make boxing his career.
 
Andre married his wife Tiffiney and together they have three children.  His two sons, Andre Jr. (2002) and Malachi (2003) were both born before his Olympic Gold.  His daughter, Amira Lecian was born in 2008, just two weeks before his win over veteran  Jerson Ravelo in the Cayman Islands.
 
Andre and his family live in the Bay Area, where they are active members in The Well Christian Community in Dublin, California.
 
INFLUENCES
 
Frank Ward, 15-0 as a heavyweight, used to tell his son stories about his boxing days, how he was trained, and about his rivals. From his father, Andre learned commitment, dedication to training and always striving to do your best.  But most of all, Andre says, “my father had a big heart and integrity, and I learned a lot from his example.”
 
Andre’s father remains a guiding influence even though he passed away in 2002, when Andre was 16 and had yet to win the Gold. 
 
All of Andre’s fights are dedicated to Frank.
 
Virgil Hunter, who started as Andre’s trainer and became his godfather, is a steady presence in Andre’s life.   Hunter and his wife, Millicent, have been strong adult role models in Andre’s life, especially since Frank’s death.  As his trainer, Hunter always takes a long-term, career view over short-term gain.  Hunter is widely viewed as an unorthodox trainer, and keeps his methods close to his vest.  Obviously whatever he is doing is working!
 
ANDRE’S VISION FOR THE FUTURE
 
Andre has a bright and ambitious view for his future.  Beyond wanting to be a boxing champion, he wants to leave his own imprint on his chosen sport.
 
“I’d love to get into broadcasting,” says Andre.  “I have so much knowledge and love for the sport, and it would be great to be able to share that with fans.”
 
This knowledge of boxing includes the somewhat darker aspects of its history, especially how boxers have been treated historically.
 
“You don’t have to be a fighter who just shows up to fight and not know how to read your contracts,” Andre says, noting that this was a typical scenario.  “Educate yourself about what you don’t know.”
 
“ I want to be a prototype and blaze a new path for fighters who not only start well, but finish strong.  So many fighters have a great start to their career, but don’t have much to show for their life outside the ring.  I want to start well, be strong, and finish strong, both physically and financially.  And I want to show other fighters how to finish strong too.
 
“I want to retire from boxing, not have boxing retire me,” he explains.  “I don’t want to have to come back for another payday after I’ve retired just because I need money.  The key is managing my money the right way thoughout my entire career, so I won’t have to come back to the ring for the wrong reason. 
 
“At the end of the day, my ultimate goal is to be in ministry in some capacity, to preach the gospel,” Andre says.  “I view my life as a ministry now, including my time in the ring and my time with fans, and I want to continue that throughout my life.
 
“At this point, it seems clear to me that my true calling in life is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is my responsibility to use the gifts given to me to be a light.  Through the platform God has given me, I feel am able to do that now.
 
“The key for me is to stay focused and to continue to let God lead my life and I know great things are bound to happen..”