Ward-Brand Final Press Conference

Photos: Roc Nation Sports/Tom Hogan – Hoganphotos

Roc Nation Sports hosted the final press conference on Thursday for two-time world champion Andre Ward (29-0, 15 KOs) and Alexander Brand (25-1, 19 KOs) at Lake Merritt Amphitheater in Oakland, California in advance of their HBO-televised August 6 fight at Oracle Arena in the same city.

Andre Ward: “I’ve gotten a lot of heat in the press about fighting here but I won’t apologize. I dreamed about fighting here and being a headliner. We’re going to continue to headline. I’m excited about the future. I want to be the light heavyweight champion of the world, a two-division champion. Everyone knows that, but it’s impossible for me to overlook this man (Brand). I’m not built like that. I wasn’t raised like that. I wasn’t groomed like that. As a young fighter, I don’t operate like that. This man is coming, this is his super bowl. Because this is his super bowl, it has to be my super bowl. My ribs are showing, I’m hungry. I’ll see you all Saturday night.”

Alexander Brand: “I want to thank you all for being here today. It’s a pleasure for me to be in this wonderful city. All I want to do is give a good show and make sure that I give that to my fans here in Oakland. I want to have a good fight and work hard. It’s really a true honor to be in the ring with a champion like Andre Ward.”

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf sent senior special advisor, Penny Moore, to kick off the press conference with an official proclamation declaring August 4 as Andre Ward Day.