Andre Ward outpoints Alexander Brand in California stroll
Andre Ward (right) hits Alexander Brand with a clubbing right
Undefeated Andre Ward used a steady left hook to outpoint Alexander Brand to take the WBO International light heavyweight championship in Oakland, California, on Saturday night.
Ward (30-0) was never seriously threatened by Brand (25-2), the 39-year-old Colombian who lost for the first time since 2012.
Ward stunned Brand early and opened a small cut over his right eye while winning every round in a dominant performance.
All three judges had the fight 120-112 for Ward.
Ward is in position for a long-anticipated bout with unified light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev. That fight has already been pencilled in for November 19 in Las Vegas.
That would be Ward’s third fight in eight months, overtime for a boxer who fought only three times from 2012 to 2015.