Boxer Ward's kids take dad's job in stride

OAKLAND, Calif., Dec. 5 (UPI) -- The wife of boxing champion Andre Ward says it's no problem when their three young children show up at ringside to watch their dad work.

Tiffiney Ward will likely be down in front row again with her brood, ages 10, 8 and 2, when their father fights Britain's Carl Froch for the Super Six World Boxing Classic title Dec. 17 in Atlantic City.

She told the Oakland (Calif.) Tribune the children take their dad's unusual and violent occupation in stride.

"They've kind of been raised with this," she said. "There was a time Andre got cut, and the boys were crying, but he winked at us to let us know he was fine."

The newspaper noted Ward's 27-0 record means Andre Jr., 10, Malachi, 8, and Amira, 2, have never had to see their old man flat on his back or otherwise worked over too badly.

The worst part so far, Tiffiney said, was the weeks immediately ahead of a fight when her husband checks into training camp and only keeps in touch by Skype. "I cry every time he leaves," she said.

Ward currently is the WBA super-middleweight champion. A win on the 17th would make him the WBC 168-pound champion as well.