Ward trounces Brand to remain undefeated as Kovalev fight announced

Alexander Brand was barely a footnote.

Andre Ward secured a unanimous decision (scored 120-108 by all three judges) over Brand on Saturday in Oakland, improving to 30-0 in what was "an overwhelming mismatch," according to ESPN's Dan Rafael.

Up next, the fight most boxing enthusiasts have been waiting for: Ward (30-0, 15 KO) versus light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev (30-0-1, 26 KO). It goes down Nov. 19, likely in Las Vegas, writes Rafael.

Brand was a massive underdog and earned only $30,000 for the fight. Ward banked $850,000.

Kovalev watched the fight ringside and shook hands with Ward after his win, as their fight was officially announced.

"I'm excited," Ward said. "I'm looking forward to it. I want to be the light heavyweight champion of the world.

"I'll see you in November," Ward told Kovalev.

Both Ward and Kovalev had to take part in interim fights before they could face one another. Brand was Ward's pit stop, while Kovalev won a decision over Isaac Chilemba last month.

Ward knows the task ahead of him is big, the stakes even bigger.

"You got to respect Sergey for the way he's gotten to where he's got. He hasn't had soft touches. He wasn't protected.

"The winner of the fight could possibly be pound-for-pound (No. 1)."