Ward could move from behind mic and intro ring

Andre Ward always has wanted to fight in Las Vegas, but it has yet to happen. Until now, possibly.

The World Boxing Association super middleweight champion from Oakland, Calif., has been mentioned for a fight that would be the co-feature for the Nov. 21 blockbuster at Mandalay Bay between Miguel Cotto and Canelo Alvarez. Ward works for HBO and figures to be in Las Vegas as part of the pay-per-view telecast.

Instead, why not have him fight rather than talk?

David Itskowitch, who runs Roc Nation Sports' boxing division, which promotes Ward (28-0, 15 knockouts), said that possibility is being discussed.

"Nothing is finalized at this point," Itskowitch said Saturday. "We've been talking for several weeks, and we hope to get it done soon."

Ward, 31, returned to the ring from a 19-month layoff after finally freeing himself from his contact with the late Dan Goossen and scored an eighth-round technical knockout over Paul Smith on June 20 at Oracle Arena in Oakland in his first appearance with Roc Nation.

A possible opponent for Ward could be Mexican veteran Marco Antonio Periban (22-3-1, 14 KOs), who has fought as a super middleweight and light heavyweight. So if Ward wants to fight at a catchweight of 168 to 175 pounds, the 30-year-old Periban can accommodate him.

But would Ward, who has been a main-event fighter for years, be willing to play second fiddle to Cotto and Alvarez?

"He would add a lot of cachet to what is already an incredible night," Itskowitch said. "It's a great opportunity for him to fight on a big pay-per-view card that we believe is going to do huge numbers.

"It would be a B-12 shot for Andre's career if he agreed to fight in Vegas."

* SUSPENSIONS — Five boxers were disciplined Thursday by the Nevada Athletic Commission after flunking drug tests.

Junior welterweight John Molina Jr., who tested positive for the diuretic Furosemide on March 7 after his loss to Adrien Broner at the MGM Grand Garden, was suspended seven months and fined $90,000.

Lightweight Ray Beltran, who stopped Takahiro Ao in the second round May 1 at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, then tested positive for the anabolic steroid Stanozolol, was handed a nine-month suspension and $25,500 fine. His win was changed to a no contest.

Junior middleweight Luis Grajeda was placed on temporary suspension pending a disciplinary hearing after he tested positive for Nandrolone after his June 20 loss to Terrell Gauche at the Grand Garden.

Shane Mosley Jr., who competed on the June 27 Big Knockout Boxing card at Mandalay Bay, was suspended seven months and fined $6,250 after testing positive for Adderall. Julian Pollard, who also competed on the BKB card, was temporarily suspended pending a hearing after he tested positive for the stimulant Methylhexanamine.

* FUTURE FIGHTS — The Nevada commission has approved dates for five fight cards in September.

Leading the way is the Sept. 12 show at the MGM Grand, where Floyd Mayweather Jr. will fight Andre Berto on Showtime pay per view. On Sept. 11, Top Rank will host a card at The Cosmopolitan that will be televised by TruTV.

On Sept. 18, there will be competing shows. Banner Promotions will host a card at the D Las Vegas that will be televised on the CBS Sports Network, and Platinum Entertainment will host a card at the Hard Rock Hotel.

On Sept. 29, Mayweather Promotions will host a Premier Boxing Champions card at the Palms that will be televised on Fox Sports 1.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj