Ward-Froch moved to Dec. 17

The bout between WBA super middleweight titleholder Andre Ward and WBC beltholder Carl Froch, originally slated for Oct. 29 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J., has been rescheduled for Dec. 17 at the same venue, promoter Dan Goossen told RingTV.com on Tuesday.

Ward (24-0, 13 knockouts) will face Froch (28-1, 20 KOs) for the championship of the Super Six World Boxing Classic and THE RING's vacant 168-pound belt.

Ward-Froch was postponed after Ward received seven stitches for a cut over his right eye sustained during sparring last Thursday.

Ward is expected to have the stitches removed next Thursday by California-based ringside doctor and plastic surgeon Dr. Paul Wallace, after which Goossen said he expects Ward to be capable of returning to the gym and to work with trainer Virgil Hunter as early as mid-to-late October.

"I told my promoter, the name of this fight should be 'No excuses," said Ward during an exclusive interview with RingTV.com on Monday.

"Because if Carl Froch beats me, there will be no excuses from my side. I won't blame the eye or anything. But when I beat Carl Froch, I expect the same from his side as well."

Lem Satterfield can be reached at lem.satterfield@gmail.com