ONTARIO, California (AP) Andre Ward returned from a 14-month ring absence with a lop-sided unanimous decision over Edwin Rodriguez on Saturday, defending his WBA super middleweight title.
Ward (27-0) won nearly every round in a dominant effort against the previously unbeaten Rodriguez at Citizens Business Bank Arena. The judges favored Ward 118-106, 117-107 and 116-108 over Rodriguez, who failed to make weight for the bout, so could not win the title.
"It's not always going to be a spectacular performance, but a win is a win," Ward said. "I felt like I did great (after) being off for 14 months, and I'm happy to be back."
The American outclassed Rodriguez (24-1) from the opening minutes, using his jab and inside fighting to control the pace and direction of each round. Rodriguez responded with increasingly desperate tactics, punching Ward in the clinch and in the back of the head.
Referee Jack Reiss became angry after an exchange in the fourth round, taking away two points from both boxers for hitting on the break.