Andre Ward needs to find a more credible opponent for next fight

WA-born fighter Rohan Murdock has missed out on a unlikely shot at American superstar Andre Ward after boxing officials in the US refused to sanction the bout.


Murdock, who is backed by Perth promoters CDL Boxing, was in the running to take on Ward on the undercard of the Miguel Cotto v Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez WBC middleweight title blockbuster in Las Vegas on November 21.

CDL promised fans "exciting news" last week, with Murdock - ranked No.6 by the World Boxing Organisation at super-middleweight - tipped to be announced as Ward's next opponent in a light-heavyweight stoush.

Few would have given Murdock a hope of upsetting unbeaten Ward but it would have brought him a big pay day - believed to be in the region of $250,000-$300,000 - and exposure on a massive card in the US.

"Son of God" Ward (28-0) was considered by many as the only serious contender to Floyd Mayweather as pound-for-pound No.1 before he underwent shoulder surgery in early 2013. A drawn-out contract dispute followed before the 2004 Olympic champion made his return to action in June this year with an easy win over English fringe contender Paul Smith.

Ward, a former world champion at super-middleweight, has signed a three-fight contract with US broadcasting giant HBO with a view to fighting light-heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev late next year.

Murdock (18-1), who moved to Queensland with his family from Perth when he was a youngster, has had his last two fights at the WA Italian Club.

He could now return to the Northbridge venue to fight on CDL's next card on November 21 - the very same night he could have been attempting to pull off one of the biggest boxing shocks in years, however unlikely.

Subscribe to the Ringside Reporter

Article Courtesy of AU News