Andre Ward has sensationally claimed that he would be willing to return to the ring to face YouTube star-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
Ward, widely considered as one of the greatest fighters of his generation, retired with an undefeated record in 2017, three years before Paul had his first professional contest against fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib.
The former two-weight world champion, who hasn’t fought since stopping Sergey Kovalev in their rematch, admitted he could be tempted by the lure of an exhibition bout.
“I’ve had some people talking [about an exhibition fight],” the 39-year-old told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour.
“But nothing substantial or real.
“I think I would be open to something like that.
“I think that would be fun. I think that would give me a reason to get back in the boxing gym.
“I’m fit, but I’m not boxing fit right now.
“I’m not going to make a mockery of my legacy, but if it was something that made sense that I said, ‘man I like this,’ I might jump on that.”
Pressed by Helwani on whether he would be keen on a showdown with Paul, who has amassed over 20m subscribers on YouTube, he replied: “Oh yeah, something like that.
“I would be open to both [a pro bout or exhibition].”
’The Problem Child’ is preparing to for his eighth professional bout against former MMA star, Nate Diaz in Dallas on August 5, live on DAZN pay-per-view.
Ward, who previously sparred Diaz confirmed, that he will be helping the 38-year-old in the weeks leading up to the bout, which is Paul’s first since his split decision defeat to Tommy Fury in Saudi Arabia in February.
‘Son Of God’ admits he respects the 26-year-old’s commitment to the sport and believes the Ohio native is working hard to improve his craft.
“I’m not a Jake Paul basher,”
“I really respect what he’s doing. People look at me crazy when I say that.
“I know the people he’s running with in these boxing circles.
“The dude is really trying to get better. He’s really trying to grow.
“He’s taking the lumps. He’s got the black eyes and the marks on his face, so I respect that about him and I don’t look at it like he’s taking anything away from boxing.
“It’s not his fault he built a platform and built a fanbase on another platform and then brought it to boxing.
“If they follow him more power to him.”
