Home Depot Center will host Ward-Abraham

Officials from Showtime Sports and promoters of the Super Six World Classic made it official Tuesday, naming the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., as the host venue for the May 14 super middleweight title fight between unbeaten champion Andre Ward and Arthur Abraham.

The Ward-Abraham fight is part of the semifinal round of what began as an eight-man tournament. Carl Froch will fight Glen Johnson in the other semi.

"The stage is set for the dramatic conclusion of the Super Six World Boxing Classic," said Ken Hershman, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Showtime Sports. "We have seen some tremendous fights, scintillating action and surprising twists and turns. These four semifinalists have all survived the tournament's rigorous road to this point, but they are not done yet. They need two more outstanding performances if they want to truly be considered No. 1. I can't wait for May 14."

Ward's record of 23-0 and 13 knockouts includes tournament victories over Mikkel Kessler and Allan Green.

"I'm just one win away from the finals and achieving what I set out to achieve when I entered this tournament: Super Six champion and the world's best 168-pound boxer," said the Oakland native.

Abraham (32-2, 26 KOs), of Berlin, Germany, by way of Armenia, entered the tournament as a co-favorite with Mikkel Kessler. He knocked out Jermain Taylor, then suffered back-to-back losses to Andre Dirrell and Carl Froch on his way to the semifinals.

"I have a lot of respect for Andre Ward," Abraham said. "He has proven his class and has defeated a lot of strong opponents. But once we meet in the ring, the past doesn't matter anymore. I had a very bad day against Carl Froch, but I have put that behind me and learned from my mistakes."