Ward is slated for a ten-round non-title contest above the super middleweight limit as the American prepares for a possible clash opposite light-heavyweight king and feared puncher Sergey Kovalev in 2016. WBN has already been informed by Main Events promoter Kathy Duva that contact has been made over a fight between the pair as Ward continues his attempts to grow into the division after a long and successful run at 168.
The choice of opponent in Brand is unquestionably a safe one for Ward though as the current WBF title holder lost out to Badou Jack over eight rounds in his only foray into top class. To be fair, Brand was given the verdict on one of the judges’ cards.
That remains Brand’s only defeat in 25 contests, but at 38 years of age the veteran’s best days are certainly behind him.
Once completely finalized, Ward v Brand will add to Takashi Miura v Francisco Vargas and Jayson Velez v Ronny Rios on the pay-per-view bill, which is to be televised on HBO from Madison Square Garden next month.
