Ward retired in 2017 with a perfect record. Now, he's saying he'd come back for one fight only - against Joshua at Wembley Stadium. The catch? The money has to be right.
Joshua, who's been out of action for almost a year due to a knockout loss and elbow surgery, didn't take long to respond. He fired back with a simple "Payday, payday," echoing words Canelo Alvarez once used against Ward.
Ward wasn't about to let that slide. He quickly countered, saying:
"Business is always a reason, but not the only one"
This back-and-forth has brought up an old debate in boxing. What really drives fighters to step into the ring? Is it the love of the sport, or is it all about the money?
The truth is, it's often a mix of both. High-profile fights like this one come with big paychecks. But for a retired champ like Ward, there's more at stake. Coming out of retirement to face a heavyweight like Joshua is a big risk to his legacy.
Joshua's been through a rough patch lately. After his time away from the ring and recent setbacks, he's looking to get back on top. There's even talk of a possible fight with Jake Paul.
Ward's challenge has put Joshua back in the spotlight. It's a surprising move that's got fans wondering - will this dream match-up actually happen? Or is it just talk?
Whatever comes of this, one thing's for sure - the boxing world is watching closely. This potential clash between a retired legend and a former champ trying to reclaim his glory has all the makings of a blockbuster event.