Andre Ward (29-0, 15 KOs) moved up to light heavyweight to defeat #1 Light Heavyweight Contender Sullivan Barrera (17-1, 12 KOs) by unanimous decision by the scores of 117-109, 119-109, 117-108. Though winning by a wide margin on the scorecards, Ward did not thoroughly dominate and showed little power. Ward was able to nick rounds by out-boxing Barrera. However, this will be a dangerous Sergey Kovalev who Ward will be facing later this year.

In the undercard, WBC featherweight title contender Joseph Diaz (20-0, 11 KOs) defeated Jayson Velez (23-2-1, 16 KOs) by unanimous decision with scores of 100-91, 99-91, and 98-92. Diaz was able to consistently hit Velez, but did not have enough power to put him away. Velez would answer with right hands of his own, however, Diaz’s punches were better and more powerful. Diaz showed the effects of the tough fight with swelling under his right eye

Full results:

Light Heavyweight Andre Ward, 29-0, over Sullivan Barrera, 17-1, by UD

Featherweight Joseph Diaz, 20-0 over Jayson Velez, 23-2-1, by UD

NABF featherweight title
Super Lightweight Maurice Hooker, 20-0-2, over Wilfrido Buelvas, 17-6, by KO

Featherweight Daniel Franco, 13-0-3, over German Meraz, 52-38-1, by KO

Middleweight Aaron Coley, 13-1-1, over Urmat Ryskeldiev, 11-4-2, by UD

Super Middleweight Rudy Puga, 8-0, over Carlos Lozano, 7-6, by KO

Light Heavyweight Junior Younan, 8-0, over Cristian Solorzano, 4-8, by UD

Heavyweight Zhilei Zhang, 8-0, over Tyree Ortiz, 5-3, by KO