Andre Ward to battle Alexander Brand, before Sergey Kovalev clash
Former super middleweight world champion Andre Ward (29-0, 15 KOs) will fight Alexander Brand (25-1, 19 KOs) on August 6 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California.
Ward has already signed to challenge IBF, WBA, and WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev on November 19. However, both have fights to come through. Russia's Kovalev is scheduled to defend his belts against Isaac Chilemba on July 11.
The unbeaten American fights for the second time at 175 pounds when he takes on Colombian fighter Brand.
Ward scored a one-sided unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Sullivan Barrera in March in his light heavyweight debut.
He was originally scheduled to meet Brand last November on the Canelo Alvarez-Miguel Cotto card. But the bout was called off due to Ward suffering from swelling in his knee.
Brand has won eight fights in a row.
His only defeat was an eight-round split decision in 2012 to Badou Jack, who went on to win the WBC super middleweight title.