The California State Athletic Commission handed down the decision today
in
Andre Ward’s latest attempt to i
nvalidate his promotional contract with Dan Goossen and
Goossen Tutor Promotions. The decision by
the arbitrator Andy
Foster, the
Commission’s Executive Director, was a clear victory
for Goossen. Ward’s contract, was
once again, ruled “valid” and extende
d to November 8, 2016.
In June 2013, in a prior arbitration initiated by
Ward, the arbitrator also ruled
Goossen’s contract “valid.” But, coming up with a new theory
, Ward tried again in
December 2013 to have the contract held invalid. Once more, Goossen
prevailed.
Responding to the latest decision, Dan Goossen said, “It’s now time to sit down
with Andre and his advisors to put these legal disputes behind us and concentrate on
getting Andre back to fighting consistently
, inside the ring. Andre and I have
had success
together; and there’s no reason not to get back on track as a team to secure his status as
the top fighter in the world behind Floy
d Mayweather.”
Bert Fields, who argued the case for Goossen, said, “Of course I’m pleased with
the decision. It
was the right result both morally
and legally
. Ward’s a great fighter; but
it was Goossen who helped build his professional career and put him in position to
command the really
big bucks.”
