Ward stays unbeaten with unanimous decision win

LOS ANGELES: World champion Andre Ward made a triumphant return after a 14-month layoff, downing Dominican challenger Edwin Rodriguez by unanimous decision in a Saturday showdown of unbeaten super middleweight boxers.

Judges awarded Ward the victory by scores of 118-106, 117-107, 116-108, boosting the US fighters record to 27-0 while Rodriguez fell to 24-1.
The fight was the first for Ward in 14 months, the longest break of his career after right shoulder surgery in January.

Ward had already been assured of keeping his World Boxing Association crown because Rodriguez failed to make weight, tipping the scales Friday at 170 pounds, two pounds over the weight division limit.

For failing to make weight, Rodriguez was fined $200,000, half of that going to Ward to boost his total take from the bout to $2 million and half to Californias boxing commission, leaving Rodriguez with $800,000.
Rodriguez tried in vain to assert himself in the first round and Ward took command in the second and third with strong jabs and body blows.

Referee Jack Reiss stopped the fight early in the fourth round and warned both fighters about questionable moves, saying Rodriguez was instigating much of the trouble.Reiss took two points from each man for unsportsmanlike conduct and asked each be fined. (AFP)