In advance of his upcoming, well-discussed move up to the light heavyweight division, WBA Super Middleweight titlist Andre Ward (28-0, 15 KO’s) is vacating his title. Ward was long since stripped of our 168 lbs championship in lieu of both his inactivity and his intentions to move to light heavyweight. Ward originally claimed the belt in November 2009 with a victory over long-time champion Mikkel Kessler in his opening fight of the Super Six tournament.
“I won the WBA belt for my first world title in 2009 and have defended it six times and it’s been a wonderful ride with the WBA,” Ward said. “Gilberto Mendoza and his team have shown me nothing but respect and I’m looking forward to moving up and hopefully winning the WBA light heavyweight belt.”
“Andre Ward has been one of the finest champions in the WBA super middleweight division’s history,” said WBA President Gilberto Mendoza Jr. “We have always been honored to be represented by such a great athlete, gentleman and incredible role model. We wish him the best success in the future and hope we can facilitate the path to him becoming a two-division world champion at light heavyweight.”
Ward’s six successful WBA title defenses came in victories over Allan Green, Sakio Bika, Arthur Abraham, Carl Froch, Chad Dawson and Edwin Rodriguez.
Ward had been slated to appear on the Cotto vs. Canelo PPV undercard, but then suffered yet another derailment due to injury.
