Michael Yormark: Its election day in the United States and if you think the race for the White House has fireworks, just wait until Nov. 19 in Las Vegas. We are now only 11 days away and the stakes could not be higher. In a few minutes, you’ll hear from Andre Ward, the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. After weeks of intense training, Andre will be fighting for something he has spent his entire life pursuing – the title of world’s best boxer. For a true competitor like Andre, there could not be a loftier goal. To walk in to the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for the undisputed fight of the year, in front of a capacity crowd supporting him and even more watching live on HBO Pay Per View, and to know that Andre has the chance to walk out of that ring as the undisputed face of boxing. In doing so, another chapter will be written in one of the world’s most storied rivalries – not just in boxing, but in virtually every competitive arena there is. It is a battle of world super powers, a matchup of styles as well as beliefs, a collision of two fighters, two cultures, two fan bases.
Roc Nation Sports
Curtis Stevens faces James De La Rosa on Kovalev-Ward card
Curtis “Cerebral Assassin” Stevens (28-5, 21 KOs) returns to the ring and the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on the Kovalev-Ward “Pound For Pound” non-televised undercard to face James “The King” De La Rosa (23-4, 13 KOs) in a ten-round middleweight showdown.
Stevens, 31, of Brownsville, Brooklyn returned to the ring on May 7 of this year and stopped previously undefeated Brazilian prospect Patrick Teixeira in the second round on the HBO Pay-Per-View® undercard of Canelo-Khan. The victory over Teixeira catapulted Stevens back into the ranking of all four sanctioning bodies, including top ten ratings in both the IBF and WBC. He is hoping to continue that momentum and secure another shot at the middleweight title.
Andre Ward starts training for Sergey Kovalev fight
Two-Time World Champion Andre “S.O.G.” Ward (30-0, 15 KOs) officially kicks off training camp in Hayward, CA with trainer Virgil Hunter ahead of his November 19 showdown at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas against WBO, WBA and IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (30-0-1, 26 KOs). Ward’s training camp, which will serve as a base for Ward over the next several weeks as he continues his quest to dominate the light heavyweight division, is sponsored by a resounding collection of American-based companies including Jordan Brand, Shoe Palace, JetLux, and ProSupps.
Below is what Team Ward had to say about the start of training camp:
Andre Ward – Alexander Brand final quotes for Saturday’s fight on HBO
Ward vs Brand – On Thursday, August 4, Roc Nation Sports hosted the final press conference for Two-Time World Champion and top-rated pound-for-pound fighter Andre Ward (29-0, 15 KOs) and power-punching Colombian Alexander Brand (25-1, 19 KOs) at Lake Merritt Amphitheater in Oakland, California in advance of their August 6 fight at Oracle Arena in Oakland. Ward and Brand will meet in 12-round WBO Intercontinental title fight televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 10:35 p.m. ET/PT.
Ward – Brand quotes for Saturday’s fight on HBO
On Tuesday, August 2, Two-Time World Champion and top-rated pound-for-pound fighter Andre Ward (29-0, 15 KOs) and power-punching Colombian Alexander Brand (25-1, 19 KOs) participated in a media workout at King’s Gym in Oakland, California in advance of their August 6 fight at Oracle Arena in Oakland. Ward and Brand will meet in 12-round WBO Intercontinental title bout televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 10:35 p.m. ET/PT.
Ward vs. Brand undercard info
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.
Andre Ward vs. Alexander Brand quotes
Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon and welcome to the Andre Ward vs. Alexander Brand call. Your host today is Michael Yormark, President & Chief of Branding and Strategy, Roc Nation. We will begin now.
Michael Yormark: Good afternoon everybody and thank you so much for participating today. Roc Nation Sports is excited to announce that Two-Time World Champion and top rated pound-for-pound fighter Andre Ward will return to the ring on Saturday, August 6, to continue his conquest of the light heavyweight division when he takes on power punching Columbian Alexander Brand at Oracle Arena in Ward’s hometown of Oakland, California.
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.
Dusty Hernandez-Harrison vs Mike Dallas Weigh-In Results
Dusty Hernandez-Harrison 146.6 vs. Mike Dallas Jr 146.6
Luis Orlando Del Valle 122.2 vs. Thomas Snow 121.8
Abner Cotto 137.6 vs. Samuel Amoako 138.6
Darmani Rock 246.6 vs. Carlos Black 231.4
Sam Crossed 186.2 vs. Damion Reed 192.4
Zhang Zhilei 249.4 vs. John Orr 322.2
Junior Younan 172.8 vs. Rodrigo Almeida 174.6
Mike Balogun 230.6 vs. Devon Mosley 212.2
Ward vs Barrera: Interview Transcript
Two-Time World Champion and top-rated pound-for-pound fighter Andre Ward (28-0, 15 KOs) and undefeated, number one rated IBF light heavyweight contender Sullivan Barrera (17-0, 12 KOs) hosted their final international media conference. Ward vs. Barrera, a 12-round IBF number one position and mandatory position eliminator which is presented by Roc Nation Sports in association with Main Events, takes place Saturday, March 26, 2016 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California.