For those who have witnessed the rise of Oakland's super middleweight Andre Ward, 19-0 (12), from Olympic Gold Medallist to world class contender, it is easy to envision greatness and the possibility of world titles.

By gradually stepping up his level of competition with each bout, Ward has managed to build both a solid reputation and fan base.

In a division as stacked as the super middleweights, Ward has managed to garner enough acclaim from ringside observers to become the youngest of the top ten fighters at 168.

However, in order to continue this rise, he must once again take the next step up the ladder.

After his most recent bout, a defeat of the rugged Edison Miranda, Ward found himself in the middle of the unprecedented Six Six tournament that will solidify the true ruler of the division.

In his first bout of the tournament, Ward will face off against the hard punching WBA champion Mikkel Kessler, by far his toughest opponent to date. More...

Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville, North Carolina, was the host for ESPN’s “Wednesday Night Fights” weekly card and on top of the bill lightweight action ensued as Edner “Cherry Bomb” Cherry 24-5-2 (12) faced off against former lightweight champion Stevie “Lil but Bad” Johnston 42-6-1 (18) for the WBC USNBC Lightweight Title.

Cherry stepping into the ring for the first time in 2008 after having a shaky 2007 where he went 2-1 with one of those losses being to current IBF 140 lbs titlist Paul Malignaggi, was hoping to redeem himself a bit in front of a national television audience and show he is still a threat in the division. While his opponent former WBC Lightweight Champion Stevie Johnston who also entered this bout with a 2-1 record over his last three bouts had a similar plan in mind by wanting to prove he should not be written off at 35 years old as a fighter who still carries a threat to the current title holders, making this bout an important win for either man.

When the bout began it was apparent from almost the start whose night this was going to be. Johnston who built his career being an excellent boxer and counter puncher was put on the defensive from the opening bell. The younger Cherry pressured Stevie throughout the night giving him little chance to mount any offense of his own. In rounds three and nine Edner sent Johnston to the canvas for eight counts. While Johnston rose up off the floor both times to continue it was to no avail because in the tenth round Cherry let loose a right hand that sent the former champion packing for the night. It is the second time in seven months Johnston has been stopped.

On the undercard Johnnie Edwards 14-2-1 (8) faced another former champion Freddie Norwood 42-3-1 (23) in a rematch of their September 2007 bout where Norwood was disqualified for low blows. This bout Norwood fared no better as he was put on the canvas in the third and then stopped cold in the seventh. This will be the second loss in a row for the former WBA Featherweight Champion.

Also on the undercard former cruiserweight title holder Arthur Williams 44-15-1 scored a six round unanimous decision over Clarence Moore 5-3-1.