Andre Ward Records Decisive Third Round KO

18.08.05 - 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Andre Ward enjoyed a successful homecoming on Thursday night at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Ward demolished Christopher Holt (12-4, 8 KOs) in three rounds in front of a raucous Bay Area crowd. Ward began the bout showcasing his impenatrable defense and pin point accuracy in the first round.. The hometown favorite picked up the pace in a strong second round, wearing Holt down with crisp punching and blazing hand speed. But it was the third round when Ward's onslaught put an end to Holt's night.

The 21-year old's fists of lightning began landing at will in the third stanza. The stinging punches dropped Holt to the canvas a devastating three times in the third round, bringing his hometown crowd to their feet.

Holt managed to make it through the third round, but Ward's attack had been too much. The ring physician put an end to the bout between the third and fourth round to give Ward the third round technical knockout.

Ward's fifth professional victory came in front of 3100 enthusiastic fans including his wife and two young sons who saw their gold medal father box as a professional for the first time in person.

In addition to the victorious homecoming, Ward enjoyed a reunion with Olympic teammates Devin Vargas and 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Andre Dirrell. Both Vargas and Dirrell earned victories on Thursday night as well.

Ward will return to the ring on October 1 in Tampa, Fla., on the undercard of Roy Jones, Jr.'s match-up with Antonio Tarver on HBO pay-per-view.

For more information, contact Julie Goldsticker at (719) 440-1050 or [email protected]