By Sean Crose
JayZ’s Roc Nation Sports is moving into the fight business in a big way. Not only does it have its premiere card featuring Dusty Hernandez Harrison premiering tonight on Fox Sports 1, but no less a name than Andre Ward has now signed on the dotted line.
Ward, widely regarded as the pound for pound best fighter on earth aside from Floyd Mayweather, has been embroiled for what seems like forever in a contract dispute with promotional company Goossen Promotions. Now, though, Ward has finally cut a deal with the folks from Goossen and signed with Roc.
“It’s official!! #NextChapter Happy to be a part of the @rocnation family,” Ward tweeted. He also added an Instagram photo of him and Jay Z smiling over what was ostensibly the contract.
ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael writes that “details of how the split with Goossen Promotions came about after years of legal battling were not disclosed, but Tom Brown of Goossen Promotions clearly was not happy with the result.”
It’s been ages since Ward’s last fight, over a year. No announcement has been made regarding the super middleweight’s next battle, but it should no doubt occur during this calendar year, as Ward is quite the catch for Roc Nation’s boxing program.
“It’s just the beginning for us but it’s a game changer,” Roc Nation Sports’ CEO David Itskowitch is quoted by ESPN.com as saying.
“He’s one of the best fighters in the world. Everything is coming together for us. On the same day we are having our first event, at Madison Square Garden, we are announcing our first really huge signing.”
Tonight’s Fox Sport’s 1 card may end up being something fight fans will become accustomed to – a boxing event featuring Roc Nation along with a plethora of matches.
Of course it wasn’t all good news for Roc Nation Sports’ on Friday. Adrien Broner talked to TMZ about an offer the promotional company made for a reputed five year, forty million dollar contract.
“Forty million for five years and that’s just bullshit,” Broner claimed.
Broner also had some eloquent words for Jay Z.
“Suck my —-,” he said.
Broner had choice things to say about the singer/actress Rihanna, who’s aligned with Roc Nation, as well.
But those words are unfit for print.