In a recent interview with Fighthype.com, boxing Hall of Famer Andre Ward gives a heartfelt message to four-division world champion Adrien Broner:
“I’m gonna tell Broner what I’ve always been telling him: focus on you and you know you got a family, bro. This boxing stuff is fleeting, comes and goes, and as he’s seeing right now, people act differently and move differently. They won’t necessarily be there, they’ll treat you differently.”
“In terms of the media, that’s to be expected, man. That was a weak move by that podcast. They put it out knowing it was gonna get picked up, then tried to take it down and give an explanation. That was weak.”
“There’s a good lesson for fighters… media can’t come and say you’re guarded. We have the right as athletes to move how we want to move, to share what we want to share.”
“For fighters out there, promote your brand, promote yourself, get out there but be wise. You don’t have to give everybody everything. You don’t have to answer every question. You can redirect the question, you can tell them the next question, I don’t want to answer that and if you’re not feeling your best or if you’re in a situation like Broner, be mindful of the camera man because it’s treacherous out here.”
Often, one associate’s Ward with his illustrious career in boxing, and rightly so. Yet, he is quick to emphasize that his journey extends far beyond his exploits in the ring.
“I have a lot more projects, a lot more that I can offer to the world, not just in boxing,” he asserts, shifting the focus to his broader horizons.
From being an acclaimed boxing commentator, an upcoming author, to a committed minister and youth pastor, Ward is indeed a multifaceted personality. A stark contrast to the world’s perception of boxing, his life is an exemplary testament to his unyielding spirit and an unquenchable thirst for impact. He speaks of his upcoming book.
“My book is coming out in November, and I don’t believe it’s going to be my only book…,” he reveals, a beacon of anticipation for his fans and followers.
While his diverse interests and commitments indeed hold a significant place in Ward’s life, his passion for boxing remains unwavering.
“I see the influence, from Shakur, Crawford and even Jared Anderson. Just being yourself… it has to have some sort of correlation just watching you come up.”.
