NEW YORK, NY (July 26, 2016) – Two-Time World Champion and top-rated pound-for-pound fighter Andre Ward (29-0, 15 KOs) will return to the ring on Saturday, August 6, to continue his conquest of the light heavyweight division when he takes on power-punching Colombian Alexander Brand (25-1, 19 KOs) at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. The event, which will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:35 p.m. ET/PT, will now include six bouts of non-televised action for ticketed fans to enjoy before the main showdown.
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Andre Ward takes on Alexander Brand on 8/6
LONDON (July 25) – Pound-for-pound star Andre Ward will face power-punching Columbian Alexander Brand exclusively live on BoxNation on Saturday August 6th.
The fight, taking place in Ward’s hometown of Oakland, California at the Oracle Arena comes hot on the heels of rival Sergey Kovalev’s unanimous points victory over Isaac Chilemba, which was also screened exclusively live on ‘The Channel of Champions’.
Video: What can Andre Ward learn from Kovalev vs Chilemba?
With the highly anticipated showdown between two of boxing’s most elite talents, Sergey Kovalev and Andre Ward, scheduled to take place in November, only one obstacle remains before the best fight than can be made in all of boxing becomes a reality. That happens August 6 when Andre Ward takes his final tune-up bout against Alexander Brand. For his part, Kovalev just took care of business in his final bout before the mega fight with Ward when he outpointed Isaac Chilemba by unanimous decision yesterday.
Andre Ward must get past his “tune-up” first, but looks the favourite to defeat Sergey Kovalev in November
In boxing, a so-called “tune-up” fight can have the exact opposite result than was planned or hoped for. Wanting to sharpen up tools and pick up added, reaffirming confidence before heading into a big match-up, a fighter can sometimes leave said “tune-up” feeling rustier, less sharp and less confident than he was before fighting it. Light-heavyweight ruler Sergey Kovalev might be feeling a little this way right now, after his frustrating, less than satisfying points win over Isaac Chilemba yesterday.
Andre Ward takes on Alexander Brand on 8/6
NEW YORK, NY (June 28, 2016) – Roc Nation Sports is pleased to announce that Two-Time World Champion and top-rated pound-for-pound fighter Andre Ward (29-0, 15 KOs) will return to the ring on Saturday, August 6, to continue his conquest of the light heavyweight division when he takes on power-punching Colombian Alexander Brand (25-1, 19 KOs) at Oracle Arena in Ward’s hometown of Oakland, California. The event will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.
Ward and Brand were slated to face each other last November on the pay-per-view undercard of Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alvarez, but a leg injury forced Ward to withdraw from participation in the event.
Ward-Kovalev set for Las Vegas, November 19th
Providing they each win their upcoming tune-up bouts, Sergey Kovalev and Andre Ward, both unbeaten and rated highly in the various pound-for-pound rankings, will fight on November 19th at The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. ESPN.com reports the fight will be available on HBO pay-per-view. A genuinely intriguing, hard to pick fight, Ward-Kovalev is a classic boxer Vs. puncher match-up.
Outside of a Kovalev-Adonis Stevenson unification clash, Kovalev-Ward is the biggest and best fight that can currently be made in the 175-pound division.
The rise of Sergey Kovalev & his inevitable showdown with Andre Ward (VIDEO)
Unified light heavyweight world champion Sergey Kovalev is widely recognized as one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world, and earlier this week news broke regarding not just his next fight, but his next two. On July 11 the champion is slated to defend his titles against Isaac Chilemba in Russia, giving Kovalev his first chance to defend his titles in his home country. But the even bigger news is that Kovalev has now officially signed a contract to face fellow pound-for-pound elitist, Andre Ward later this year, with November 19 looking to be the target date for the match-up. Ward is also expected to have one more fight before his fall showdown with Kovalev.
Ward’s B-game won’t be good enough for Kovalev
Andre SOG Ward (28-0-0 15KO) of the Saturday night fight at the Oracle, Oakland, CA will have a difficult time with Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (29-0-1 26KO). By his own admission, he graded his performance a B- grade. Most would agree, anyone coming up against the devastating power of the Krusher better bring his A game.
Ward was correct. He looked like a B grade movie, a low budget one that does not inspire the need for a sequel. Still, it was good enough for a unanimous decision over the Cuban Sullivan Barrera (17-0-0 12KO). Essentially, Ward outworked the undefeated defector, who now trains out of Miami, FL.
Evaluating Andre Ward’s dominant victory against Sullivan Barrera (Video Recap)
Andre Ward couldn’t have scripted his 175 pound debut any better if he tried. The former king of the super middleweight division has officially busted onto the scene of his new weight class, and he did so in style by dominating Sullivan Barrera. Ward proved himself an immediate force at light heavyweight by thoroughly outclassing the Cuban boxer, who was the #1 contender for Sergey Kovalev’s IBF championship entering the contest. Ward was awarded a unanimous decision victory.
Andre Ward enters the light heavyweight division through the back door
Andre Ward (29-0) fought for the first time in the light heavyweight division and outpointed Sullivan Barrera (17-1) bumping him off the mandatory challenger spot for the IBF title held by Sergey Kovalev. The Russian watched the fight from ringside and apparently happy at what he witnessed, he stated he wants to fight Ward in the same venue in front of Andre’s home crowd. He had at least two reasons to be happy, first Ward won as expected and cleared the path for the mega fight. Secondly, Ward’s performance, although victorious, indicated he does not belong in this weight class or at least not on top of it, he simply does not have the fire power and physical strength for it.