BREAKING: Sac State appoints Olympic gold medalist Andre Ward as Combat U boxing team general manager

World-champion boxer will begin leading the team immediately

Delaney Joyce, Editor-in-Chief • September 6, 2025

Sacramento State announced the hiring of International Boxing Hall of Famer Andre Ward as the general manager for Combat U’s boxing team, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. Ward’s position was announced prior to Combat U’s amateur boxing event, Capital Punishment XII. (Photo courtesy of Andre Ward)

Sacramento State announced the appointment of former five-time world boxing champion Andre Ward as the Combat U boxing team general manager today at 2:30 p.m.

The announcement was made during the intermission of amateur boxing event Capital Punishment XII, hosted by Flawless Boxing & Fitness in conjunction with Sac State.

Ward, an Olympic gold medalist with an undefeated professional record of 32-0 retired from boxing in 2017 and said he now hopes to utilize his years of insight to uplift student athletes.

“I know what it feels like to be a young fighter with big dreams,” Ward said in a press release. “At Sacramento State’s Combat U, I see that same hunger in these athletes, and I want to be someone they can lean on as they chase their goals–in and out of the ring.”

“Bringing Andre Ward to our boxing program is a reminder of what’s possible when we think boldly about student opportunities,” President Luke Wood said in a press release. “He will make a lasting mark by showing our students the value of hard work and character in everything they do.”

Big news: Hall of Famer Andre Ward is Sacramento State’s new Combat U Boxing Club General Manager!

Joining co-founder @UrijahFaber, he’s the second Hall of Famer on our leadership team, and he starts now for the 2025–26 season.

An Olympic Gold Medalist and five-time world… pic.twitter.com/Y4thNjquZJ

— Sacramento State (@sacstate) September 6, 2025

The Oakland-based boxer becomes the second Hall of Fame athlete to join the program’s leadership team, following former UFC fighter Urijah Faber.

Sac State’s sophomore combat sports program is the first university-backed program offering a collegiate pathway into professional combat sports. Flawless Boxing and Fitness co-owner Brandon “Flawless” Gonzales said the hire is representative of Sac State’s commitment to the success of students within the program.

“Andre Ward has set the standard in boxing, and now our athletes get the truly remarkable
opportunity to learn from him directly,” Gonzales said in the press release. “Dre’s new position as our Boxing General Manager shows these young fighters that Sacramento State is serious about their future.”

Ward will begin leading the team immediately, beginning this 2025-2026 season, according to the press release.

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About the Contributor

Delaney Joyce, A&E Editor

(she/her) Delaney Joyce is a junior public relations and communications student in her fourth semester at The State Hornet. She is returning as the arts & entertainment editor where she hopes to expand coverage of food, music and events in the Sacramento community. When she isn’t writing she loves camping, making music and exploring the city.