World-ranked, undefeated super middleweight Andre Ward (18-0, 12 KOs) meets hard-hitting Colombian Edison Miranda (32-3, 28 KOs) May 16 on a special Saturday primetime edition of ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif.
A victory in what most agree will be Ward’s toughest test could put the talented, classy 2004 Olympic Games gold medalist in position to fight the winner of this Saturday’s showdown between undefeated WBC 168-pound champion Carl Froch and former undisputed middleweight kingpin Jerman Taylor on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).
Ward, who is ranked No. 2 in the WBC, one spot below Taylor, doesn’t see a clear-cut favorite and expects Froch-Taylor to be a tight, competitive contest.
“This is a very interesting fight,” said Ward, who will appear in his hometown of Oakland for the first time as a professional when he takes on Miranda. “I admire Froch for coming to the United States to fight. He could have stayed in the UK and become a draw but he knows that at age 31 his time is now.
“Stylistically speaking, it’s a hard fight to call. Both fighters have their pros and cons. But if I have to pick, I’d say Taylor will win a very close fight. I think his speed, experience and athleticism will pull him through.”
The May 16 ShoBox telecast will begin at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).