Andre Ward:I have a new arsenal. I have a lot of power in both hands!+Drug Testing

Plenty to read here for Ward fans and haters alike lol On November 16th, four years after dominating Mikkel Kessler and winning the WBA super-middleweight title, Ward (26-0, 14 KOs), who drove his truck to that fight in Oakland when titles and German cars were hopes and dreams, faces Edwin Rodriguez (24-0, 16 KOs) on HBO at Citizens Business Bank Arena, in Ontario, Calif. “A lot’s happened in those four years,” Ward said to *********. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m blessed, grateful and fortunate, but it’s been a lot of hard work in the gym; injuries; a major shoulder injury that’s kept me out for over a year; new challenges like broadcasting, which I love; and trying to grow and learn as a man with a wife and a family. You always want to get smarter and learn.” One thing hasn’t changed and won’t: Staying fit between camps, however much time passes between them, max effort in camps and a professional approach. The fighter kept it simple with talking about the upcoming fight. “Rodriguez is to be respected, we’ve studied him, we have no time for an opponent’s chatter and we’ll be ready.” The fast, shiny car; looking impeccable while working as a ringside commentator on HBO, which he started doing earlier this year; endorsement deals; and working to get his ring attire just right are part of his evolution – while being himself. “I’m never going to be somebody else,” said the 29-year old San Francisco native, who said loudly and with a smile that he still has a few months left of being in his 20s. “I’m learning about all kinds of things and learning about myself, and I feel more like an adult than a young man, but I’m still me. The fans won’t buy it if it’s not authentic.” While he’s long talked about being financially responsible, Ward said getting the Porsche Panamera, that starts at $76,825, wasn’t him being silly. “You have to enjoy life,” he said, quickly adding, “But I am always cognizant of life after boxing. I’m still earning, I’m still working and I’m still saving. I’m not trying to enjoy myself too much.” Ward also has a major deal with Nike’s Jordan brand. While visiting the Nike headquarters, he has learned more about apparel design and the business processes, which has helped to refine his look. “I have my own style, which I’d say is clean, sharp, pretty low-key, and it’s been amazing to work with the Jordan people to learn more about clothes, shoes and the business side,” he detailed. “I want to look good in a way that reflects who I am. People say when you look good you feel good and they’re right.” On a day when Apple talked of its new iPad Air, Ward sat some 20 miles east of where the company introduced its latest devices and lit up when he talked about another Air-based concept: Air Ward shoes. Ward loves shoes. Like some musicians dream of being on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, Ward is among the athletes who hunger for having their own model of footwear. “They’ve made boxing shoes for me, but it’s not my own shoe, from scratch,” he said. “My dream, my desire is to have my own boxing shoe from scratch. To have my own boxing shoe would be unbelievable. There are a lot of things you want to accomplish in the sport and that’s a big one. It’s something I’m pushing for and they’re trying to make it happen.” Preparing for the showdown with Rodriguez has included getting the ring attire prepared, plus a little surprise. “I was going to wear a touch of snakeskin on my trunks, but when I got together with the Jordan team, they said we can’t do that because Jordan has a phobia for snakes,” Ward explained. The width and breadth of thinking and planning that goes into athletic shoes and apparel has surprised the fighter. “They have teams for every little thing,” he said. “It’s heavy, but I love it.”