OAKLAND – With a pay-per-view superfight hanging in the balance, Andre Ward wanted to make a statement Saturday at Oracle Arena.
Though he didn’t knock out Colombian Alexander Brand, the Oakland star methodically shut him out and reminded his next opponent—who was watching ringside—why he hasn’t lost a fight since age 12.
All three judges scored the bout 120-108 for Ward (30-0, 15 KOs), who earned himself a November 19 date in Las Vegas with unified light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev (30-0-1, 26 KOs) of Russia. In addition, an even more important title will be on the line—status as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport.
“I want to be the light heavyweight champion of the world,” Ward said, with Kovalev standing feet away. “I got past my step. He got past his step [defeating Isaac Chilemba by decision]. I’ll see you in November.”
After a triumphant run at the 168-pound super middleweight division where he vanquished all comers, the East Bay star has finally tested the waters seven pounds north in his most recent fights and looked like a full-fledged light heavyweight against Brand (25-2, 19 KOs). Ward landed almost three times as many power shots (121 to 37) and at a far more accurate clip (58 percent to Brand’s 19 percent), according to CompuBox.
“We knew this guy was going to be real hard to knock out,” Ward said. “I was trying to press him, but it was good to get the rounds.”
In front of a crowd of 8,653 chanting Ward’s nickname “S.O.G.” in unison, the hometown fighter employed his signature style of neutralizing his opponent’s strengths. In this case, the smaller Brand found himself backpedaling around the squared circle looking for an opening to ambush his opponent. But Ward stalked with consistency and tact, launching left jabs to the midsection.
Ward took the initiative in the fifth round by charging forward with lead left hooks. Though Brand would string together the occasional 1-2, Ward won rounds wide and clear, even switching to a southpaw stance on occasion to attack the Colombian from different angles.
The second half of the fight was as one-sided as the first, with the difference being Ward’s precision steadily increasing on the strength of the left hook and the right cross upstairs.
By the final round, the focus shifted to concerns that a cut or freak injury might derail the Kovalev fight. Those fears came to fruition when the awkward Brand jumped into Ward and caused a headbutt that led to an abrasion on the Oakland star’s forehead. Fortunately, no blood was drawn, and the HBO executives sitting ringside let out a collective exhale; they will get their winter superfight at long last.
“This is a career-defining fight. That’s the kind of pressure I put on myself,” Ward said. “There’s no reason why I can’t get that task handled. That’s taking nothing away from Kovalev. He doesn’t get the credit he deserves.
“This is Sugar Ray Leonard-Tommy Hearns all over again. It’s 50-50. ‘Who’s going to rise to the occasion,’ my father used to say. It will take a lot of work, but I’m willing to do that to get where I want to get.”
NOTES
With Roc Nation promoting Ward and Main Events handling Kovalev, something has to give. In this case, Roc Nation president Michael Yormark revealed that no contracts have been signed yet, but the fight will go on. “Kovalev is the champion, so Main Events will be lead promoter,” he added. … Ward said in his postfight conference that he will likely be working with famed fitness guru Mackie Shilstone. … Despite moving up in the sport, Ward says this won’t be his last fight in Oakland. “I’m never going to abandon Oracle,” he said. “We’ll just be in a stronger position.” … Ward hasn’t ruled out rising to heavyweight one day. “I could see that happening; it has to be the right guy. But first things first. I have a major task in November,” he said.
Ryan Maquiñana is a full member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. You can follow him on twitter @RMaq28.
