After a potential Andre Ward- Rohan Murdock fight was squashed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, Plan B had to be become mobile, and fast.
After Murdock (18-1, 14 KO’s) was denied a shot, ESPN’s Dan Rafael is reporting that Ward (28-0, 15 KO’s) will fight WBO No. 5 ranked contender Alexander Brand (24-1, 19 KO’s) on the undercard of Miguel Cotto vs. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on November 21 from Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas
As far as resumes are concerned, Plan B sounds reminiscent to Plan A.
Murdock has yet to be in a 12-round bout while Brand has on three occasions against unknown fighters.
In October 2010, Brand knocked out the previously 0-4-1 Edwin Mota in five rounds. Two years later, he fought William Gare for the WBF International super-middleweight title and earned a unanimous decision victory. He followed that up with an 11th round TKO of Jorge Rodriguez Olivera for the interim WBC Silver super-middleweight title in August 2013.
Most recently in August, Brand fought Bernard Donfack for the WBF World super-middleweight title and won a unanimous decision.
The only notable fighter Brand has faced to date is current WBC World super-middleweight champion Badou Jack in which Jack came away with a split decision victory.
Although Brand is ranked one spot above Murdock, it seems as if this fight, given the rejection of Murdock, could receive even more scrutiny just because the guy is approaching 40 years of age.
Unlike Murdock, Brand has fought at 168 for his whole career, so if this bout is approved by the NSAC, a catch-weight will likely be implemented unless Ward is willing to fight at the full light-heavyweight limit of 175 pounds.
With a victory, this could set up a highly-anticipated mega-fight between Ward and light-heavyweight champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev at some point in 2016.
Kovalev, who was unable to secure a bout for this November, will face Jean Pascal in a rematch on January 30 from Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec.
An announcement for Ward-Brand is expected on Wednesday.
– Ryan O’Hara @OHaraSports
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