Andre Ward-Alexander Brand was initially rejected by the NSAC.
Last Saturday, the NSAC refused to sanction a bout between Ward and Australian Rohan Murdock.
Three days later on Tuesday of this week, it was announced Ward would be fighting Brand on the undercard of Miguel Cotto-Saul “Canelo” Alvarez at Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on November 21.
However, according to a source with knowledge of the situation, the NSAC also refused to sanction Ward-Brand, but later changed its mind.
Albeit the source was never told specifically why the NSAC decided to approve Brand, there could be several reasons.
Brand has fought 25 times at the professional level with a record of 24-1 with 19 knockouts and has an extensive amateur record. He participated in the 2003 Pan American Games for his native Columbia, where he reached the semi-finals.
In August, Brand defeated Bernard Donfack to claim the WBF World super-middleweight title. Furthermore, Brand fought current WBC World super-middleweight champion Badou Jack in 2012.
While Jack came away with the split decision victory, most ringsiders and observers thought Brand deserved the win.
Murdock is the current WBO Asia Pacific super-middleweight champion and holds a record of 18-1 with 14 knockouts, but unlike Brand, he lacks a top name in his resume.
Ward has not fought since June when he stopped former super-middleweight title contender Paul Smith inside the ninth round. With the Brand fight slated to be his second bout of the year, it will mark the first time since 2011 since Ward has fought more than once in a calendar year.
Ward’s record stands at 28-0 with 15 knockouts as he prepares to make his debut at the full light-heavyweight division of 175 pounds in preparation for a mega-clash with champion Sergey Kovalev in 2016.
– Ryan O’Hara @OHaraSports
Leave a Reply