WBA super middleweight

champion Andre Ward (27-0, 14 KOs) is putting in work for his upcoming non-title fight against two-time title challenger Paul Smith (35-5,

20 KOs) on June 20th at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. Smith is coming off two hard-fought decision losses to WBO super middleweight

champion Arthur Abraham. The fight takes place at a catch-weight of 172-pounds. Ward has been inactive since a 2013 twelve

round decision win over Edwin Rodriguez. No word is Ward is coming back to super middleweight or plans to go up to light heavyweight.

Earlier this year, Ward signed a promotional contract with Roc Nations Sports. The fight with Smith will be the first fight of Roc Nation's network deal with HBO. Photos by Stephanie Trapp.