Andre Ward the spiritual slugger

Andre Ward turns a cold, blank-eyed glare on opponents in the boxing ring that can be as chilling as his two-handed, cobra-striking, punching power.

But in the warmth of his living room, his face becomes boyish and innocent as he smiles at his loving, pregnant wife and two handsome sons.

This is Ward — one part assassin, one part husband, one part father. But these three parts add up to one child of God.

Ward's deeply felt religion guides him as strongly as his quest to become a world boxing champion. He already has an Olympic gold medal from 2004, and by 2009 he should have a championship belt encircling his slender waist.

When, and if, that happens, Ward will depend on his ingrained religious values to guide him on a virtuous path, even if that means having to throw spiritual combinations to ward off the leeches and groupies who will try to destroy his focus.

"The main thing for me is four words — the power of God," he said. "You can go through ups and downs in your life, but you can still be faithful to your wife. I have a conviction to do the right thing."

Tiffiney isn't worried that fame and fortune will misdirect her man.

"Not at all," she said. "It's God's will ... that's what it's all about."

So much is expected of Ward by his trainer and godfather, Virgil Hunter, who is grooming him slowly as a potential super middleweight (168-pound) champion. Ward is

undefeated in 15 professional fights, but there are expectations as well by his wife, who prefers that he be a role model for his family.

He is only 24; she is 23. Parenting and pugilism have come on them in unison. Their religion is holding it together.

"I believe we were a match made in heaven," he said during an interview in their Tri-Valley home.

He was a father before he was a gold medalist. Andre and Tiffiney had two children as teenagers before they married in 2003. Though they were young — Andre said it was love at first sight when he met her at 17 — they felt bonded for life.

"We had two kids out of wedlock," he said. "It was a learning experience. If we had to do it all over again, obviously we would have waited until we were married. I don't believe it was God's perfect will that we did what we did, but I believe in His permissible will. He was gracious to us and He allowed us to stay together."

Andre and Tiffiney talk about God a great deal, which might be offensive to some of you reading this. It's just who they are, and they don't necessarily flaunt it in public. Their religion, though, is the loving glow that shines down upon their young love.

"It's gotten stronger," Tiffiney said. "As a kid, you think it's fantasy love. For any young couple, it's tough. But I've always felt — and I know Andre feels the same way — that divorce isn't even an option. We've had a roller-coaster ride like any other marriage, but it's been an amazing ride. I feel very content."

Andre calls Tiffiney his "honey bunny." He had a "rebellious stage" while growing up in Hayward; he later called Oakland home. Tiffiney has had a calming influence on him. Their two sons, Andre Jr., 7, and Malachi, 5, have brought responsibility into his life, which will increase with the arrival of the couple's first daughter, Amira, in June.

Tiffiney wants five children. Andre would prefer four. But five or four, they're on the same page.

"She's doing an awesome job," he said. "I would not be able to do what I do (in boxing) so successfully without my wife. I come home and there's peace."

"I love his dedication — on a spiritual level and physically," she said. "He's a strong man, a strong father."

And they are a team. Part of God's team, but a team every day of the week, not just on Sunday.

Dave Newhouse's columns appear Monday, Thursday and Sunday, usually on the Metro page. Know any Good Neighbors? Call 510-208-6466 or e-mail dnewhouse@bayareanewsgroup.com.