Injured Andre Ward postpones title defense

Andre Ward injured his right shoulder in training camp last week, forcing the world super-middleweight boxing champion to postpone his scheduled Jan. 26 title defense against Kelly Pavlik at USC’s Galen Center.

Ward’s promoter, Dan Goossen, said he intends to keep the bout at the Galen Center, and is exploring Feb. 23 and March 2 as alternate dates.

The unbeaten Ward (26-0, 14 knockouts) suffered the injury throwing a punch Nov. 28. “He felt a tweak in the shoulder, stopped right then, went to the doctors, where an MRI was performed Friday,” Goossen said. Doctors told Ward he did not tear his rotator cuff, but because of the inflammation and swelling he was experiencing, he needed two weeks’ rest.

Pavlik (40-2, 34 KOs) is a former middleweight champion who has lost only to Sergio Martinez and Bernard Hopkins but has struggled with alcohol abuse.

—Lance Pugmire

ETC.

Senden takes lead in Sydney

Australia’s John Senden shot a six-under-par 66 in calm morning conditions at the Lakes in Sydney to take a two-stroke lead in the Australian Open.

Englishman Justin Rose was second along with Australians Kim Felton, Brendan Jones and Richard Green and New Zealand’s Gareth Paddison.

Adam Scott opened with a 72. After practicing with a traditional putter during the week, the Australian used his usual broom-handle model that he anchors to his chest — a technique expected to be banned in 2016.

Tom Watson, playing his first start in the event since winning in 1984, had a 78 in windy afternoon conditions.

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Golf officials are investigating a fight between two caddies near the practice chipping area before the first round of the Australian Open.

PGA Tour of Australasia officials said that Grant Buchanan and Matt Kelly had to be separated after coming to blows as their players prepared for the opening round. Buchanan is James Nitties’ caddie, and Kelly works for Marc Leishman.

The caddies were interviewed by tour officials and could face disciplinary action.

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South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel shot a seven-under 65 to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Thailand Golf Championship at Chon Buri.

Winless since the 2011 Masters, Schwartzel had seven birdies in a bogey-free round at Amata Spring.

Thailand’s Thitiphun Chuayprakong was second. Masters champion Bubba Watson opened with a 68, and defending champion Lee Westwood had a 70.

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China’s Shanshan Feng opened a four-stroke lead in the Dubai Ladies Masters, shooting a seven-under 65 in the second round in the United Arab Emirates.

Feng, the LPGA Championship winner in June, had a 13-under 131 total at Emirates Golf Club. England’s Felicity Johnson was second after a 67, and American Cindy Lacrosse had a 69 to top the group at eight under in the Ladies European Tour’s season-ending event.

Defending champion Lexi Thompson was seven under after a 68.

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Roger Federer says he won’t play tennis as often in the next few years but wants to compete in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The 31-year-old Swiss star intends to be more mindful about the tournaments he plays to make sure he can keep playing at a high level.

“I have to make sure that I take care of my schedule, of my body, of my mind,” he said in Sao Paulo, Brazil. “Hopefully, I can still stay on tour for many more years and hopefully play the Olympics here in three and a half years or so, so I have to look far ahead and not just the next six months.”

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Ronda Rousey was presented the first Ultimate Fighting Championship women’s championship belt, and it was announced she will defend it by headlining the Feb. 23 UFC card at the Honda Center against Liz Carmouche.

Rousey, 25, a 2008 Olympic judo bronze medalist from Santa Monica, has shot to stardom with a dominating, aggressive fighting style that has produced six first-round victories in six fights.

She will carry the UFC’s 135-pound belt.

UFC President Dana White made the announcement in Seattle while preparing for the fifth UFC on Fox card that will be headlined by the lightweight title fight between champion Benson Henderson and Nate Diaz.

White had long insisted he would not establish a female division in the UFC, but Rousey’s energy and charisma proved undeniable.

—Lance Pugmire