On a chilly Saturday night in Ontario, California, the No. 2 boxer in the world made his return and cemented his status near the top of the fight game with an oftentimes roughhouse outing against a willing yet limited challenger in Edwin ‘La Bomba’ Rodriguez.
A decently filled Citizens Business Bank Arena was treated to more than decent action in the lead up as Jonathan Arellano traded leather with Charles Huerta in an entertaining back and forth that saw the hometown Arellano take home a decision nod and Sergio ‘The Latin Snake’ continued to extend his relevance in the sport with a knockdown and a stoppage win over Milton Nunez.
Yet all eyes were on the main event as Ward was making his return after a ring absence of over one year.
Just off the I-10 freeway in Southern California stands an electric-powered billboard that flashes images of upcoming events, and in-between promoting an upcoming Cher concert and the inaugural game for the Ontario Reign minor league hockey team is an advertisement that simply states, ‘The Return’, with a picture of the consensus No. 2 fighter in the world, Andre Ward, and the date of November 16.