By Rick Reeno

Promoter Lou DiBella confirmed to BoxingScene.com that the winner of Allan Green vs. Sakio Bika, scheduled for February 5 on Showtime, will face WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward in the second stage of the Super Six tournament on April 17.

Ward had been scheduled to fight Jermain Taylor, who announced his withdrawal from the tournament on Tuesday. Taylor lost four of his last five fights and wants to spend some time with his family. He suffered two brutal knockouts in 2009 at the hands of Carl Froch and Arthur Abraham.

Rumors continue to circulate that Taylor received a buyout from Showtime to walk away from the tournament. DiBella, no longer the promoter for Taylor, was not able to confirm or deny that piece of information. DiBella, concerned with the fighter's health, walked away as Taylor's promoter after the fighter announced his plan to move forward with Ward.

A few insiders are under the impression that Taylor's prior announcement to continue in the tournament was a calculated bluff by Taylor and manager Al Haymon to receive a buyout from Showtime. A very strong rumor when considering the facts: Green-Bika recently announced for Feb 5, Taylor's "timely" decision to withdraw - and Haymon's involvement with Bika.