Andre Ward withdraws from Cotto-’Canelo’ card with knee injury

Super-middleweight world champion Andre Ward has withdrawn from his Nov. 21 light-heavyweight debut, which was to be the co-main event on the Miguel Cotto-Saul “Canelo” Alvarez card at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Significant inflammation and constant pain in Ward’s right knee, brought on by extended running, according to his trainer, forced the decision to back out of the bout against Colombian Alexander Brand.

It would have been the unbeaten Ward’s first bout in Las Vegas, and would have given him the exposure of what’s expected to be the second-biggest pay-per-view bout of the year, a renewal of the classic Mexico-Puerto Rico rivalry between two established fighters.

“I’m extremely disappointed that I’m missing this opportunity,” Ward (28-0, 15 knockouts) said in a statement released by his promoter, rapper Jay Z’s Roc Nation Sports. “Anytime I’ve had a … setback in my career … I’ve come back stronger and this will be no different.”

An extended contractual dispute with his late promoter Dan Goossen has limited Oakland’s Ward to just three fights since 2011.

Ward’s trainer, Virgil Hunter, told The Times in text messages Thursday that Ward has already begun rehabilitation and is considering a return date in early 2016.

Another individual close to Ward told The Times that Ward was seeking to fight at least once more in 2016 before pursuing an anticipated date against light-heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev by the end of the year. It’s unclear if the injury will alter those plans.

Hunter said Ward was hurt by overdoing it on extended runs, creating swelling that wouldn’t subside and that ultimately became too painful to deal with. Hunter said he stepped in to push Ward to cancel the Nov. 21 fight.

“The kid is so driven, that he started his distance [running] too soon,” Hunter said. “He inflamed some areas that unfortunately he needs use of daily. This caused swelling that wouldn’t go away. When he showed me the swelling, I made the difficult decision to cancel his bout.

“He would have to come off his legs for a couple of weeks before he could resume training. I’m sad because he was looking so powerful and agile. He is evolving into that next phase of the style he was taught – right in front of you, making the opponent miss and countering with sharp, accurate authority. I’m devastated.”

Ward referenced the frustration he and others are feeling by the downtime of a fighter who was considered one of the top three pound-for-pound boxers in the world when active.

“Thank you to all my fans for your support and your patience,” Ward said in the statement.