An exciting, one-sided match was stopped at 1:42 of the 11th round by the ringside physician, Dr. Smith Ketchum, due to cuts around both of Kessler's eyes. After 10 completed rounds, Ward was ahead by the scores of 98-92 on two of the scorecards and 97-93 on the other.

A raucous, pro-Ward crowd of 10,277, which included Heisman Trophy winner and NFL Hall of Famer Herschel Walker, Metallica drummer and Kessler fan, fellow Dane Lars Ulrich, Super Six fighter Andre Dirrell and Strikeforce Mixed Martial Arts stars Scott Smith, Josh Thompson and Gilbert Melendez, turned out at Oakland's Oracle Arena for what became a virtuoso performance by Ward.

Kessler entered the scheduled 12-round fight as a co-favorite to win the tournament and a 3:1 favorite to beat Ward, but after a scintillating performance, Ward has perhaps stamped himself as the one to beat.

"This was my dream come true and right now I'm dreaming," said an ecstatic Ward, who won an Olympic Games gold medal for the United States in 2004. "It may take a while for all of this to sink it, but I am enjoying it all. This is a moment I'll never forget."

Heading into Saturday, the tournament had been an all European affair with Arthur Abraham and Carl Froch defeating Americans Jermain Taylor and Andre Dirrell in Germany and England, respectively, in their Group Stage 1 fights last Oct. 17 on SHOWTIME. But the U.S. is now on the board, thanks to Ward, who made it three consecutive hometown favorites to win in the Super Six. Standings after Group Stage 1 the six-fighter, round-robin tournament: Abraham (three points); Ward and Froch (two points apiece); and Kessler, Taylor and Dirrell (zero points).

Upcoming Group Stage 2 matchups (dates to be announced): Abraham vs. Dirrell; Froch vs. Kessler; and Ward vs. Taylor.

Ward effectively switched from orthodox to southpaw, consistently beat Kessler to the punch, never gave the Dane a moment to relax and bloodied the defending champion around both eyes to the delight of the fans who chanted "USA, USA" on several occasions.

"He never hurt me," Ward said. "I was a little surprised that they stopped it when they did. I had just connected with a big right hand and would like to have seen what would have happened if the round had continued.

"I felt like it was my time. We were not intimidated by Kessler's record. Everyone felt that we got the bad draw in the first round. We never believed that. We beat the top guy.

"This win is as much for me as it is for Virgil Hunter. He has an Olympic gold medal with me and now he has a world championship.

"There were two accidental butts. I am not a dirty fighter. Everyone knows that. I'm ready to go and take the next step.