By Scott Gilfoid: WBA/WBC super middleweight champion Andre Ward made it clear in an interview at Sports Illustrated that he has zero interested in taking on the talented brother of Andre Dirrell, Anthony Dirrell (24-0, 21 KO’s) in his next fight. The problem is, Anthony is the 28-year-old Ward’s mandatory challenger and it’s time for Ward to make a defense against Anthony.

Ward said to Sports Illustrated that he doesn’t think the networks [Showtime or HBO] will be interested in seeing him fight Anthony Dirrell. I think Ward is wrong on that, because other Anthony and Andre, there’s really no one left in the division for Ward to fight. IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute is busy facing Carl Froch next month, George Groves is fighting WBO champ Robert Stieglitz, and the other contenders aren’t well known enough for Ward to waste time on. There are some interesting fighters in the division like Adonis Stevenson and James DeGale, but no one in the United States, aside from hardcore boxing fans, know who these guys are. It’s hardly worth it for Ward to face them, and besides, they’re not his mandatory.

Anthony Dirrell said to the Flint Journal at Mlive.com “I guess from Andre’s standpoint or view this is a business decision and I full understand it but maybe when I get a championship he will fight me then. I’m just focused on the WBC, that’s what I want and I’m going to get it no matter if he fights me or he vacates it.”

It’s looking now like Ward will choose to vacate the WBC title rather than face the dangerous Anthony. Ward mentioned vacating one or more of his titles if he can’t get the fight he wants. He figures he’ll be able to get the titles back if he wants them. Unlike in other divisions where fighters have to wait forever to get another crack at the title if they give up their belt (read: Sergio Martinez), Ward won’t have any problem because he’s considered the best fighter in the division and he’s someone that is in demand.

According to the Flint Journal, Anthony Dirrell has an opponent to fight he’s interested in facing if Ward ends up vacating his World Boxing Council title. Hopefully Anthony isn’t talking about #2 WBC Noe Gonzalez or #3 Nikola Sjekloca, because those fights would be too easy for Anthony. A perfect opponent for Dirrell would be undefeated #5 WBC Edwin Rodriguez or #9 WBC Adonis Stevenson. I’d like to see Dirrell face either one of those guys.