In compliance with Riverside County’s ordinance banning large public gatherings due to concerns regarding COVID-19, the April 25 Kovalev vs. Barrera card at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino has been cancelled.

“Whether it’s in Riverside County or Los Angeles County, it is clear that we must take every precaution to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman, and CEO of Golden Boy. “We lament the hardship this has caused for our fighters, partners, employees and state officials, and we look forward to providing better news in the coming weeks.”

“The health of our guests and Golden Boy’s athletes is our top priority,” Paul Ryan, General Manager of Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. “This week we’ve seen professional sports leagues err on the side of caution, from the NBA and college basketball to the PGA and Major League Baseball, and we’re doing the same. It’s the right thing to do, and we look forward to having another stellar Golden Boy card here in the future.”

A new date for Golden Boy Boxing at Fantasy Springs will be announced as soon as it is reasonably possible.

It was tough second round for Andre Ward, as he was floored by a powerful right hand from the Krusher. He got up, solidify more of his defense and balance it with effective and accurate offense that saw him winning on all three judges scorecards.

The official scores were 114-113 on all three judges for Ward winning most of the alphabet titles at light heavyweight.

In the first half of the fight, Ward (31-0, 15KOs) was on the receiving end of Sergey Kovalev's powerful jabs and right hand. Kovalev (30-1-1, 26 KO) dropped Ward with right hand during the second round of their light heavyweight championship, Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ward got up from the knockdown and held for the rest of round. He clinched as Kovalev rushed in to finish him up early.

Ward slowly but surely adjusted the power and attacks of Kovalev every round after the knockdown. He was maintaining safe distance from Kovalev and tied the Russian champion when he gets closer. He fired counter mostly to the body that got a toll on Kovalev as the fight wore on.

In the second half of the fight, Ward was able to land sneaky jabs that snapped Kovalev's head back and he continued his body work. The fight become more competitive as Ward already adjusted to the style and was able to dictate each engagement in the ring. He fired at angles where Kovalev not in position to counter and force held when Kovalev came close.

However, it's not the usual punch-and-clinch routine for Ward as Kovalev either wrestle to punch in or wrestle to rough up Ward. They employ brilliant techniques every time they tangle up. The referee had an awesome job controlling the fight mostly by his mouth as the fighters were listening to his commands each time they tangle.

It was a controversial close decision, but I don't see it as bad decision either. I have it a draw and I like to see a rematch. But Kovalev had a hard time accepting his first defeat, and believed he clearly won the fight, seven to three rounds on his favor.

"He got maybe few rounds. You know, I agree but not the full fight. I keep control all the fight all rounds. I lost like three rounds of all [entire] fight, says Kovalev.

Kovalev said that he wanted a rematch and he will "kick his ass" referring to Ward.

"Of course I want a rematch and I will kick his ass like that. I just wanted to show boxing not short round you know," answers Kovalev.

What do you think of the decision? Would you want to see an immediate rematch?

It's not always about Saul Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin. Well, there's even bigger! The much-anticipated fight between both undefeated fighters Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev is set for November 19, 2016, at the T-Mobile Arena.

"The Kovalev-Ward fight, which was signed long ago but is contingent on each remaining undefeated through interim bouts, will take place Nov. 19 (HBO PPV) at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas," per Dan Rafael of ESPN.com

This is by far the biggest fight of both fighters who were listed inside the top 10 on anyone's pound-pound list. Ward is undefeated in 29 bouts, 15 wins inside the distance, while Kovalev is undefeated with 29 wins,  a draw, but with a mind-boggling 26 stoppages, that's 87 KO percentage.

Ward, 32, was the former middleweight champion and will move up to light heavyweight to fight Kovalev, 33, who held titles at the LH division.

Both men are expected to have one bout prior to their 19th Nov. fight. They have to win accordingly in order to make them happen and to make the fight even bigger. I hope there's no spoiler here. Kovalev is scheduled to face Isaac Chilemba on July 11, while Ward may fight on Aug. 6 in California.

The promotional woes of undefeated super middleweight champion Andre Ward (27-0, 14 KO's) was over. It’s time for him to move on. It’s time for him to find out who he should be fighting for the sake of the boxing fans that have long been waiting for his ring return.

I can sense how happy Andre Ward, while keying in the letters that composed the statement he tweeted on Friday. He tweeted with hash tag #NextChapter. Ward as a professional fighter felt the difficulties. The difficulty in going battles inside legal courts. Instead of real battles in the ring.

Now, legal battles are finally over with him. Promotional problems with his previous promoter late Dan Goosen settled. Details of the settlement were not disclosed. But it is certain that the problem is over. Ward is optimistic in his ring return and is now starting to name names who he wanted to fight in his ting return.

But for me, as a boxing fan, I have three fighters in mind, for Ward to fight when he returns to the ring. I don’t care in which order he will fight these opponents.

Here are my Top 3 fighters for Andre Ward's ring return. In no specific order,  I want Ward to face them all regardless of the outcome of each fight.

1. Gennady Gorlovkin (31-0, 28 KO's) – Andre, in his interview with Ring TV said that he is willing to fight GGG. But it seems that he wants only at super middleweight. Although, for me, I fells that GGG looks small at middleweight. But if he chooses to go up in weight and fight Ward, I don’t think anyone has a great advantage in weight. The fact that he's sidelined for more than one year. And it cost his pound-for-pound ranking. Getting back to super middleweight fighting form is a problem. But I still believed it’s not a serious problem. He can still make the super middleweight limit and fight GGG. If GGG don't want a fight with Ward at SMW. Ward moving down to middleweight is a serious weight problem. If a catch-weight of 165 pounds will not also work. Then, here comes the next fighter that I want Andre ward to face in his ring return.

2. Sergey Kovalev (26-0-1, 23 KO's) – If indeed Andre Ward has problem at super middleweight then move north for the Russian. This is another fight that make sense for Ward. He’s been fighting for sometime at the super middleweight. And I think it’s time for him to take another title at another weight division. It would be exciting if he will move to the light heavyweight and face Sergey Kovalev. It will be an interesting math-up.

We all know that Kovalev does not rely solely on his power. He can fight also tactically and he proved that against master tactician Bernard Hopkins – whom he dominated over 12 rounds.

Ward is a kind of boxer who always finds a way to win. He loves to make his move first while anticipating opponent’s counter-moves. Ward shifts attack swiftly to defense after a sound offense. His style at times results to a hit-hug combination. Not a fan-friendly combination to master.

3. Carl Foch (33-2, 24 KO's) – A rematch with 'The Cobra' is another big fight for both men, if Ward doesn’t want, to move up to meet Kovalev, or move down to meet Golovkin.

Froch demolished George Grooves in their rematch. Of what has been considered as the biggest all British boxing showdowns in UK at the full-house Wembley Stadium. Froch wanted a fight in the US. In the US or UK the fight is huge and the fans would definitely want it.

Ward won on all three judges the first time they met in 2012. Froch seemed too cautious during that fight. And Ward was able to execute well ahead of Froch in all aspects. I think if the meet one more time, Froch would definitely execute a well adjusted game-plan based on the previous fight. And it is exciting to see what Ward's counter measure.

If you are to choose which fighter should Ward fight next? Would it be GGG first? Then Sergey and Froch? In which order you want?

If the fighters were not listed above, who do you think is best of Ward in his ring return?

The year 2014 is full of same-card-different-opponent bullshit match-ups. Two top fighters in the same division that suppose to fight each other, instead fight separate opponents in the same card. One example is the Danny Garcia-Rod Salka scrap. Boxing media criticized and rant about the match-up that ended as expected. Garcia blew Salka out in two rounds.

But 2015 promise something that we boxing fans should be happy about. Here are some interesting and relevant fights that await us in 2015.

Brandon Rios vs Mike Alvarado III

This is war! The first two encounter is a classic battle that I rate as the same level Gatti-Ward. Both men took each other's "O" in brutal fashion. On January 24 at 1st Bank Center in Broomfield, Colorado Rios and Alvarado will do it again for the third time. The first two fights were about protecting their undefeated records. This time is about getting back to the winning side of the game. Both men are in a "must-win" situation. Although Rios (32-2-1, 23 KO's) won against Chaves in his last fight, but he's unhappy about his DQ victory. He is looking for a solid victory over Alvarado this time. Alvarado (34-3, 23 KO's) is win less in his last two fights and could not afford to lose also this time. I expect another war come 24th January.

Sergey Kovalev vs Jean Pascal

The light heavyweight division is not as deep as the welterweight with talent. But what I like is that the top contenders were more than willing to face fellow top contenders. That of course except Adonis Stevenson. He avoided Kovalev. He is recognize by the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board as the light heavyweight champion. Stevenson even jump over the fence of another network just to avoid Kovalev who is now TBRB's number one contender. I salute, Kovalev (26-0-1, 23 KO's) and Hopkins though. "The Alien" despite his golden age has always desire to fight the best in his division. The same goes to Kovalev who wants only significant fights. As the result, Hopkins-Kovalev met up in the ring. Kovalev won. Now, the best available opponent for Kovalev by far is Jean Pascal (29-2-1, 17 KO's) who just is also considered one of the top 5 in this division. As a fight fan, we only want the best fighting the best.

Gennady Golovkin vs Martin Murray

Although this is not the fight I wanted for Gennady Golovkin (31-0, 28 KO's) because I wanted him fight the best out there in the middleweight division. I wanted a fight between Golovkin and Cotto who is now the division king after stopping the lineal champion Sergio Martinez. But Martin Murray (29-1-1, 12 KO's) is another solid contender who ranks among the top five. So, this is another exciting fight to watch out in February 21, 2015 in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

Wladimir Klitschko vs Bryant Jennings

After a fan-friendly fight against Kobrat Pulev,  Wladimir Klitschko (63-3, 54 KO's) wants a fight in the States. And on April 25, 2015 in Brooklyn, New York, most probably at the Barclays Center for a yet to signed opponent. But Klitschko's team is in deep negotiation with undefeated contender Bryant Jennings (19-0, 10 KO's) that we will see result in a couple of days.

Miguel Cotto vs Saul Alvarez

Although this fight is not sealed yet, as Miguel Cotto (39-4, 32 KO's) said in various reports that "all is negotiations, and there is nothing definite at this point”, but this fight is basically what team Alvarez is pushing. Alvarez (44-1-1, 31 KO's) needs a top marquee opponent in his quest to seize Cinco de Mayo fight date from Floyd Mayweather Jr., claiming that this date belongs to the Mexicans. Well, if there's no Floyd-Pac on May and if Cotto-Alvarez pushes through then my PPV money will be on Cotto-Alvarez.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs Manny Pacquiao

I'm hesitant to include this possible but still unclear match-up that we, as fans have been talking about for years now. But as a fan what can I do. This is what I hope for. This is what I want to see. So, I'm still hopeful it will happen in 2015. And both Mayweather (47-0, 26 KO's) and Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KO's) camp are at least open and not lock in to fight any other opponent at this point. There seemed to be serious on going negotiations. But I'm still in doubt that this fight will happen, not until both showed up for a press conference announcing that they will officially fight each other.

Meanwhile here's what Bob Raissman of NY Daily News regarding mega-fight negotiations:

Those doing the business of boxing are consumed with winning the negotiation, screwing the other guy at all costs. The battle to negotiate a mega fight is bloodier than what happens inside the ring. --  BOB RAISSMAN, NY Daily news