Total domination by the comebacking Andre Ward, who outlanded the overweight Paul Smith 231-47 in total punches. Ward landed 59% of his power shots, while Smith landed in single digits in total connects in all nine rounds
Liverpool’s Paul “Smigga” Smith had a miserable weekend in the U.S.A. after failing to make the 172lbs catchweight limit for his meeting with the comebacking Andre "S.O.G." Ward—he came in at 176.4—and then losing by ninth-round TKO when his trainer Joe Gallagher quite rightly threw the towel in. Ward’s accurate punch picking had turned Smith's face into a bloody mess and he suffered a broken nose—the first of his 41-fight career (35-6, with 20 KOs).
OAKLAND, California -- As soon as Andre Ward found his stride following his lengthy layoff, the fight quickly came to an end. Ward made a triumphant return to the ring and delighted his home crowd when he stopped England's Paul Smith in the ninth round Saturday night in a nontitle fight. Ward (28-0, 15 knockouts) was fighting for the first time in 19 months because of a protracted legal dispute with his former promoter, the late Dan Goosen. He dominated from the start against the former British champion Smith (35-6), winning every round on all three judges' scorecards. Smith's corner threw in the white towel to stop the fight in the ninth round with Smith's face covered with blood.
Paul Smith has paid tribute to the skills of Andre Ward after his emphatic defeat at the hands of the lineal super-middleweight champion. Ward, 31, returned from a 19-month absence from the ring with a ruthless ninth-round stoppage in Oakland and Smith, whose pre-fight preparations were disrupted by problems making the catchweight of 172lbs, was full of praise for his unbeaten opponent who inflicted the first broken nose of his career. Smith said: "He's just a quality operator. I had my moments here and there but his class showed through in the end. He's unbeaten for a reason. He was quality.
Andre Ward made an impressive return to the ring with a ninth-round stoppage of England's Paul Smith at Oakland's Oracle Arena on Saturday. Fighting for the first time in 19 months because of a protracted legal dispute with his former promoter, the late Dan Goosen, Ward dominated from the start against the former British champion, whose corner threw in the towel with Smith's face covered with blood. Smith spent most of the fight in defensive mode and although he did connect with a big right-hand in the seventh, Ward shrugged it off and responded with his own flurry which opened up a cut on his opponent.
WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward (27-0, 14KOs) is ready for his first fight since November of 2013. He weighed in at 171.8-pounds for his fight with Paul Smith at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. Smith, however, was way over the contract limit and weighed in at 176.4-pounds. Both fighters had agreed to meet in a non-title bout at 172-pounds. Smith will reportedly pay a fine, based on his purse, and is not going to shed off any additional pounds.
WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward (27-0, 14KOs) is ready for his first fight since November of 2013. He weighed in at 171.8-pounds for his fight with Paul Smith at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. Smith, however, was way over the contract limit and weighed in at 176.4-pounds. Both fighters had agreed to meet in a non-title bout at 172-pounds. Smith will reportedly pay a fine, based on his purse, and is not going to shed off any additional pounds.
The battle between unbeaten prospects Antonio Nieves and Stephon Young was advertised as a bout where someone's 'O' had to go. That didn't prove true by the end of the fight, which ended in an eight-round draw.
Andre Ward makes his ring return following a forced 19-month break, facing England's Paul Smith in a non-title fight Saturday evening at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. The bout is contested at a maximum catchweight of 172 lbs., a limit Smith missed by more than four pounds during Friday's weigh-in.
Andre Ward has a plus/minus rating of +13, trailing only Mayweather, Lara & GGG. Ward landed nearly as many jabs per round, 7 than his opponents landed total punches- 9. Paul Smith's opponents (Abraham I & II and Groves landed 39% of their power punches.