Ward pulls out of Pavlik fight

Andre Ward must undergo shoulder surgery and has pulled out of a clash with fellow American Kelly Pavlik.

Ward was originally due to face Pavlik in January, but the fight was put back to March when the WBA and WBC super-middleweight champion injured his shoulder in sparring and the problem requires an operation as it is more serious than first feared.

Pavlik's manager Cameron Dunkin learned the news after talks between promoters Bob Arum and Dan Goosen and still hopes to find a foe for Pavlik.

He told ESPN.com: "Bob called me up and told me the fight was out and said, 'What are we gonna do with Pavlik?' He said Goossen called him and told him that Ward needed shoulder surgery.

"So I don't know what we're gonna do, but we're going to move forward and get Kelly a fight and get him back in the ring.

"I sent him a text to let him know what was up because I couldn't get in touch with him."

Carl Froch has expressed a desire to face Ward in a rematch in 2013, but he could be forced to alter these plans if the Oakland fighter needs a lengthy lay-off.

Ward defeated the Nottingham man on points in the final of the Super Six tournament in 2011.