Oakland’s Andre Ward better be careful Saturday at Oracle

So while Saturday’s fight will nearly certainly be a walk-over-don’t be fooled by Brand’s 25-1 record or 19 knockouts; he most certainly is, in boxing parlance, a tomato can-that doesn’t mean the evening will be devoid of excitement.

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 Russian Federation. This figures to be the most evenly contested high-profile boxing match of 2016, and while Ward and Kovalev didn’t scintillate in their respective tune-ups, they’re set for a hugely pivotal clash this November, and it’s one that boxing fans will most certainly be looking forward to.

Andre Ward sure is a talented boxer, but he sure can turn in a boring fight. “Becoming an all-time great is really important to me”.

Asked if he’s ready for Kovalev, Ward said, “I’ve been doing this 22 years, and if I’m not ready now, I’ll never be”. Kovalev’s seemingly unstoppable offense-first approach stands in stark contrast to Ward’s slick, defensive style that has been an unsolvable riddle for every foe he’s taken on. I remember how a lot of boxing fans thought the 49-year-old Hopkins had a good chance of beating Kovalev due to his boxing skills and experience.

Alexander Brand, 39 years old, 25-1, 19 k.o.’s, has fought most of his professional fights in his native Colombia, scoring 12 straight knockouts and 15 of his first 17 fights.

Ward has been on a mission to regain his elite status since signing with current promoter Roc Nation Sports last January, racking up recent wins over Paul Smith Jr. and Sullivan Barrera – the latter whom Ward beat in his light heavyweight debut earlier in March. Ward, however, continued to go for the stoppage and was able to catch Brand with several hard right crosses. Understand why you’re there, understand you’re not going to get this moment again. “That’s what I told my team”.

“On behalf of our executive Vice President Peter Nelson and the rest of the HBO Sports staff, I’d like to say that we’re very happy to be here in Oakland”.

“I’ve seen her lose some of these fights”. (Kovalev) got past his step, I need to get past mine.

“Some of the stuff he was trying to hit me with I was like, ‘Really?'”, Ward said. Brand came into the fight as the B-side fighter, but he didn’t look like he was at all interested in mixing it up with Ward. “If I’m not ready to fight the best now, I’ll never be ready”. Brand wasn’t throwing any punches, and it was pretty sad fight to watch.

His record is also bereft of any meaningful opponents except Badou Jack, who defeated him by eight-round split decision in 2012 and went on to win a super middleweight world title in 2015. 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.