From Olympic gold to an unbeaten championship record across two weight classes, there’s hardly anything left for Andre Ward to achieve. But despite the seven years that have passed since he hung up the gloves, his story remains one of ‘what-ifs’. What if there was a Canelo fight? Or what if he and Gennady Golovkin clash for a middleweight title? Clips of ‘Son of God’ sparring with close friend Terence Crawford ahead of the latter’s light middleweight debut gained considerable traction. As a result, talks surfaced about whether there’s a comeback in the offing of the last American man to have won an Olympic gold.

It seems that it’s not only the fans but even close associates who would like to see him pick up the gloves and complete some unfinished work. During a playful banter with Crawford, the two-time unified champion found himself nudged to give the sport one last try. The Nebraskan appeared rather certain that it was possible if there was the right amount on the table.

Andre Ward and Terence Crawford: The Heart of the Matter

After exchanging jabs in the ring, Terence Crawford and André Ward finally sat down for a tete-a-tete. ‘Bud’ revealed what he intended to do after retirement. He shared that he has many other interests to chase once his boxing journey finally comes to an end. That obviously aroused Ward’s curiosity. He wanted to know whether there was any chance of him coming back, like so many other boxers do.

“No,” replied Crawford, explaining that it’s a clear full-stop for him. But what if he received a deal worth $100 million? asked Ward. “I’m coming back. I’m coming back,” the welterweight champion shot back, leaving his friend bursting into laughter. But Crawford clarified that it’s not all about money. “It depends on the age; it depends on the age, and you know what I mean, my body, yeah, cuz it ain’t all about the money. Yeah, I’m make money; I’m get money,” he said.

It was time to change the direction of the arrow. “For 100 million, you’ll come back right now,” Terence Crawford stated. Andre Ward turned all serious. Reflecting deeply, he might have to look at the matter very seriously before making any significant move. But ‘Bud’ disagreed. Pointing at the camera, he said, “No, you ain’t got to pray on nothing for a 100 million Andre ‘S.O.G’ Ward…Andre ‘S.O.G’ Ward will come back right now for 100 million promise you.”

Andre Ward persisted that he still needed to think about it gravely. Terence Crawford replied that given the way he was shadow boxing at the training camp, even God would tell him to have a crack at one last fight. ‘S.O.G.’ admitted that $100 million was all together a different kind of zone. His friend argued, “One fight for 100 million you coming back; you can’t sit there and tell me boxing is a poor man sport and for them to drop 100 m on you right now.”

When Ward quipped that he had yet to receive any call of such grandeur, Crawford couldn’t help but laugh. Though he knows that Ward hasn’t so far, if ever that were to happen, it’s ‘well worth it’.

Andre Ward’s legacy debates

A few years after he became the unified super middleweight champion, Andre Ward turned his sights on the light heavyweight division. Following his debut win over Sullivan Barrera, he defeated Alexander Brand and won the vacant WBO international light heavyweight title. It was time to switch gears. His attempt at 175 pounds’ unified title brought him face-to-face with Sergey Kovalev. The decision is still contested to this day. However, Ward fulfilled his dream and became a champion in a second-weight class.

Seven months later, on June 17, 2017, he fought his last battle, defending the unified title in a rematch with Kovalev. There have always been obvious questions. ‘S.O.G’ could have chased Canelo Alvarez or Gennady Golovkin, his middleweight colleagues. Speaking at ‘All the Smoke’ he said that one reason why people tend to put his and the Mexican icon’s names together is because of Sergey Kovalev. As most fans know, even Alvarez defeated the Russian during his light heavyweight debut back in 2019. Somehow, he felt that perhaps the undisputed super middleweight champion wasn’t too keen on their matchup.

So if Andre Ward changes his mind, who, in your opinion, would be the apt opponent for him? Bring back Gennady Golovkin?