ATHENS, Greece -- Andre Ward has learned to thrive in solitude during six years of lonely jogs, isolated training camps and globe-hopping trips to unfamiliar boxing venues.

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Video On Demand: Olympic Medal Hopeful Andre Ward Powered By Oakland's Boxing Tradition

But the light heavyweight, a 20-year-old husband and father of two boys, definitely prefers his family's company.

"They're in my heart, and it hurts, but they know Daddy is working hard," Ward said.

Ward spent much of the last year in self-imposed exile from his family to focus on gold at the Athens Olympics. After putting his professional career and much of his happiness on hold, he's determined to make his sacrifices worthwhile.

Ward, who hasn't lost a bout in six years, is considered the top prospect on a team hoping to restore America's reputation in amateur boxing. After receiving a first-round bye in Friday's draw, his quest was delayed until the round of 16 on Thursday, when he meets Italy's Clemente Russo.

The United States has won a record 47 gold medals since boxing became a medal sport in 1908 -- but just four since 1984. In Sydney four years ago, the U.S. failed to win a gold for the first time in 52 years.

Though the U.S. team is young and speedy, its relative inexperience with the style and judging of Olympic competition will be difficult to overcome. Many believe the Americans have just two realistic gold medal candidates this summer: Ward and middleweight Andre Dirrell.

Both fighters tore through the qualifying events leading to the Olympics, and they hope to inspire their teammates.

"I think we're developing a good team dynamic," U.S. coach Basheer Abdullah said. "We have high hopes for every member of this team. ... Andre (Ward) has worked hard to put himself in this position. He's one of the hardest workers you could hope to be around, and he helps to inspire his teammates."

Ward frequently shows a maturity and perspective beyond his age. He has grown up quickly: Before his godfather, Virgil Hunter, and Abdullah took over his training, Ward learned about the sport from his father, Frank, a former boxer who died two years ago.

Ward has tattooed his father's name on his arms, and Frank's picture will be taped to Ward's boot in Athens.

"This is what I've been dreaming of for my whole life," Ward said. "Now I'll make it happen. I can see that gold medal."

That vision inspired Ward and his wife, Tiffiney, to make uncommon sacrifices.

At the height of Ward's training last spring, his wife and children went to Seattle to live with Tiffiney's mother for several months. When Ward enters the ring at Peristeri Olympic Boxing Hall, his family will be home in Oakland, Calif., hoping to catch it on television.

Ward doesn't enjoy this deprivation, but he thinks it's necessary. He also is wary of even being in Athens, where he tries to ignore the security concerns that have nagged at him for months.

"I'm going to take it one night at a time and one bout at a time," he said. "I believe that's how we can achieve a gold medal -- by staying focused and not overlooking anybody."

The United States has a history of successful light heavyweights. Future pro stars Evander Holyfield, Leon Spinks and Antonio Tarver all won medals at 178 pounds -- and so did Cassius Clay, who won gold in 1960 shortly before changing his name to Muhammad Ali.

Ward is a natural welterweight who has fought in the heavier class during his impressive amateur career. Several years ago, Ward decided he never would fight his cousin, a ranked welterweight -- though Ward probably will be a welterweight when he turns pro after the Olympics.

Athens is the last stop on Ward's worldwide amateur tour, and he plans to make the most of every part of the journey before his lucrative pro career. The U.S. team visited the Acropolis on Sunday, and Ward even posed for a few promotional photos in a tunic.

"It was a great thing to see," he said. "That is what you see when you come to Greece, and I was able to see it face-to-face. It was really a blessing to get that opportunity."