Ward Set for Staples Fight

Andre Ward, the first American to win Olympic gold in the boxing ring in eight years, has reached an agreement to be co-promoted by Dan Goossen and Roy Jones, according to a source close to the negotiations.

Assuming there are no last-minute snags before the contracts are signed today, Ward will make his professional debut Dec. 18 in Staples Center. An opponent has not yet been selected.

It was Goossen who promoted the last American Olympian who won gold, David Reid. But Reid’s professional career never took off because of a damaged left eyelid.

Ward, an Oakland fighter, won gold in the 2004 Olympics at 178 pounds. He will begin his pro career as a middleweight (160).

The main event Dec. 18 matches light-heavyweights Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson, the fighters who knocked out Jones in his last two fights.

Another 2004 boxing Olympian, Abner Mares, a member of the Mexican team, signed a contract Wednesday with Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions.

-- Steve Springer