Ward easily outpoints Brand to set up fight with Kovalev (The Associated Press)

Undefeated Andre Ward used a steady left hook to repeatedly score and unanimously outpointed Alexander Brand to take the WBO Intercontinental light heavyweight championship Saturday night. Ward (30-0) was never seriously threatened by Brand (25-2), the 39-year-old Colombian who lost for the first time since 2012. All three judges had the fight 120-112 for Ward.