SHERMAN OAKS, CA (September 20, 2013) – Following slightly more than a year’s absence from the ring due to injury, Bay Area hero, 2004 U.S. Olympic gold medalist and current WBA and Ring Magazine World Super Middleweight Champion, Andre “S.O.G.” Ward makes his highly anticipated return to the ring defending his title against Edwin Rodriguez on Saturday, November 16 at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, CA.
Simply and appropriately billed as “The Return,” Ward (26-0, 13 KOs) will risk his title against the undefeated Rodriguez (24-0, 16 KOs) in the scheduled 12-round World Championship main event which will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.
Tickets are priced at $200, $125, $75, $50 and $25 (parking included with purchase) and will be available at Citizens Business Bank Arena Box Office or online at AXS.com or by calling AXS at 888-929-7849 starting on Friday, September 27. For more information, please visit www.CBBankArena.com.
Following last year’s 10th-round destruction of then-WBC Light Heavyweight titleholder Chad Dawson in his biggest and most impressive defense of both his WBA and WBC belts in his hometown of Oakland on September 8, Ward was scheduled to take on former WBC/WBO Middleweight Champion Kelly Pavlik back in January. However, the bout had to be scrapped because Ward required surgery to an injured right shoulder, keeping Ward out of the ring for over 12 months and costing him an intriguing fight and sending Pavlik into retirement.
With Ward’s Super-Six Tournament demolition through the 168-pound division against the likes of Mikkel Kessler, Arthur Abraham, Allan Green, Sakio Bika and Carl Froch, Ward now puts his attention toward the currently ranked #1 WBC, #3 WBA, IBF and WBO Rodriguez.
“I’m excited to get back in the ring on November 16,” stated the champion Ward. “The opponent is Edwin Rodriguez. He’s a young, hungry, undefeated fighter who doesn’t believe he can lose and it’s my job to change his mind. I think he and his team feel like they are going to catch me slipping coming off of surgery and the layoff. I try to live like a champion. I stay in the gym, eat well, and don’t abuse my body and this rest that I got was needed. I don’t feel like the layoff will hurt me, I feel like it will help me. It allowed me to rest mentally and physically, and I want to show the fans on November 16 that I’m better than I was before I left.”
So now the 29-year old Ward can’t wait to make his return against the Dominican-born super middleweight, who now lives in Worcester, Mass. Having made a huge statement in his last bout stopping Denis Grachev in the first round in Monte Carlo, France winning the “Monaco Million Dollar Super Four Tournament” – Rodriguez, 28, will be fighting for the first time in California. In his most recent outing, the undefeated Rodriguez known as “La Bomba, ” handled Grachev from the opening bell. The normally durable Grachev went down twice in the first round and was taking further punishment when referee Stanley Christodoulou stepped in to stop the one-sided bout. Grachev was coming off impressive wins over highly-touted Californian Ismayl Sillakh, and also ended former champion Zsolt Erdei’s undefeated run. With the victory, the DiBella-promoted Rodriguez has propelled his name toward the top of the 168-pound division targeting Ward in the process.
“Vince Lombardi once said, ‘Life’s battles don’t always go to the stronger or faster man. But sooner or later, the man who wins is the man who thinks he can.’ On November 16th, I know I will win,” stated Edwin Rodriguez.
“I commend Andre Ward for accepting a huge challenge after an injury and layoff. On November 16th, he will wish he didn’t when he gets La-Bombed by La Bomba,” said longtime promoter Lou DiBella.
Some strong words from the #1 world-rated Rodriguez proclaiming the demise of the #2 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
Ward probably summed it up best, “You have a young fighter in Edwin Rodriguez that feels like it’s his time. You have a young veteran in myself that feels like it’s still my time, and those ingredients will make for a blockbuster fight on November 16 on HBO.”
All other bouts will be announced shortly. Doors open at 3 p.m. with the first undercard fight set at 3:15 p.m.
The event is promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions in association with S.O.G. Promotions. The Ward-Rodriguez bout is presented in association with DiBella Entertainment and sponsored by Morongo Casino Resort Spa and the City of Ontario.
“We are proud to be a sponsor to this great boxing event featuring WBA and Ring Magazine Supermiddleweight World Champion Andre Ward,” stated Morongo Casino Resort Spa General Manager, David Brents.
For more information on Goossen Tutor Promotions, including exclusive behind-the-scenes videos and photos, visit www.goossentutor.com. For information on DiBella Entertainment visit www.dbe1.com. Follow HBO Boxing news at www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/hboboxing. Join the conversation by using the Hashtag #WardRodriguez on Twitter.
Citizens Business Bank Arena, built and owned by the City of Ontario, operated by AEG Facilities, includes 9,500 fixed seats with additional “portable” seating risers to accommodate capacities of 11,089 for concerts, 9,736 for ice hockey and 10,832 for basketball. The Arena is home to Ontario Reign, an ECHL Premier AA Hockey Team. The venue is the biggest and most modern arena within the Inland Empire, an area with over 4.1 million people. It is located in the City of Ontario, on a 37-acre parcel located between Haven Avenue and Milliken Avenue, Fourth Street and the I-10 Freeway.