Ward pulls out of fight at Mandalay Bay because of knee injury

Andre Ward has pulled out of his Nov. 21 light heavyweight fight against Alexander Brand at Mandalay Bay after suffering an injury to his right knee while training.

Ward (28-0, 15 knockouts) was scheduled to make his long-awaited Las Vegas debut as part of the undercard for the Canelo Alvarez-Miguel Cotto main event on HBO Pay Per View. Ward has been suffering from significant inflammation and constant pain in his right knee that is severely restricting his mobility. He has been advised by his physician to immediately rest and begin rehab on the knee.

"I'm extremely disappointed that I'm missing this opportunity on Nov. 21, but at the same time, I'm encouraged," Ward said in a statement Wednesday. "Anytime I have had a minor or major setback in my career, by the grace of God, I've come back stronger, and this will be no different. I'm looking forward to a big 2016."

David Itskowitch, COO Boxing of Roc Nation Sports, which promotes Ward, said: "Andre's injury is a huge disappointment not only to him but all of us involved with this promotion. We have no doubt that Andre will come back stronger than ever once his knee heals and that he will be a force in the light heavyweight division."

Ward, who has been the World Boxing Association's super middleweight champion, has moved up to 175 pounds this year. In his last ring appearance on June 20, he scored a ninth-round technical knockout over Paul Smith in Ward's hometown of Oakland, Calif. His fight with Brand was going to be his second at light heavyweight.

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