OAKLAND, Calif. -- 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.Ward stunned Brand early and opened a small cut over his right eye while winning every roundAll three judges had the fight 120-112 for Ward.We knew this guy was going to be really, really hard to knock out, Ward said. I tried to press it, didnt get it but it was good to get the reps.Ward is in position for a long-anticipated matchup with unified light heavyweight champ Sergey Kovalev. That fight has already been penciled in for Nov. 19 in Las Vegas.That would be Wards third fight in a eight months, overtime for a boxer who fought only three times from 2012 to 2015.Im excited, Ward said. I had to get past this step, (Kovalev) had to get past his step. If Im not ready to fight the best now, Ill never be ready.Like he was when Ward beat Sullivan Barrera in March, Kovalev was in attendance at Oracle Arena and sat with his mother near ringside for the fight with Brand.After the fight Kovalev joined Ward in the ring and the two men shook hands in what might be their last friendly exchange before the expected showdown in Las Vegas.He showed that hes ready, Kovalev later told reporters. Alexander was an uncomfortable style for him but Andre had a good fight.Ward and Brand were originally scheduled to fight in November 2015 before Brand pulled out with a leg injury while Ward went on to beat Sullivan Barrera by unanimous decision in March.The nine-month delay to get to Brand hardly seemed to matter for the three-time world champion.Ward was patient early, plodding forward and working out of clenches while Brand missed wildly with a pair of left hooks in the first round.That was ongoing theme much of the fight -- the 39-year-old Colombian comfortable trying to tie Ward up with clenches while Ward continually fought his way out.Brands best punch was a light left in the third that glanced off Wards forehead.Ward broke through late in the fourth when he landed a left hook to Brands jaw then followed it up with a combination.The 2004 Olympic gold medalist scored with a left hook again in the fifth then changed up to a southpaw style and continued to score at will.Brand, who appeared to get cut over his right eye by a Ward left in the fifth, landed two straight rights in the eighth but Ward brushed them off and shook his head.It was a frustrating night all around for Brand, whose only other loss came against current WBC super middleweight champion Badou Jack in 2012.Brand slipped on a slick area of the mat and fell on his back at one point, then later got his right hand caught in the strap connecting the ring ropes while trying to throw a punch.Samuel Umtiti Jersey . Datsyuk will miss Tuesdays game against New Jersey and could be sidelined longer, while Cleary will likely miss at least the next three games. Its been an injury-plagued season for Datsyuk, who has suited up for just 39 games. Bacary Sagna Jersey . Carey Price didnt, but he still came out on top against one of his rivals for the No. 1 job at the Sochi Games. The Anahim Lake, B.C., native was stellar in making 39 saves in his home province and Lars Eller got credit for a bizarre short-handed winner as the Canadiens defeated the Canucks 4-1. http://www.nationalfrancesoccer.com/dimitri-payet-france-jersey/ . - After leading the Saints to a fourth playoff appearance in five seasons, Drew Brees expressed confidence in the direction of his team and, perhaps more importantly, showed a willingness to listen to contract proposals if the team needs his help getting under the NFLs salary cap. Steve Mandanda Jersey . -- In a span of seven Washington Redskins offensive plays, Justin Tuck sacked Robert Griffin III four times. Adil Rami Jersey . The Redskins announced Monday that the quarterback who led the team to the Super Bowl championship in the 1987 season will serve as a personnel executive.FRESNO, Calif. -- Steve Lakalaka scored his second short touchdown with 59 seconds left in the game and Rigoberto Sanchez extra point lifted Hawaii to a 14-13 Mountain West Conference victory over Fresno State Saturday night.Kody Kroening, who had made 15 consecutive field goals for Fresno State, had his 43-yard attempt blocked as time expired and the Bulldogs saw their losing streak extend to nine games.Hawaiis Marcus Kemp dropped a third-down pass in the end zone with 1:22 left in the game, but Fresno State was flagged for roughing the passer, giving the Warriors a first down.dddddddddddd Two plays later Lakalaka scored.Fresno State (1-10, 0-7 Mountain West) has lost four of five home games and the last three under interim coach Eric Kiesau, who took over after head coach Tim DeRuyter was fired.Hawaii (5-7, 4-4) snapped a three-game losing streak and a five-game losing streak to Fresno State. ' ' '