By Ryan Burton

BoxingScene.com caught up with world-class trainer Virgil Hunter a day after his fighter Andre Ward (28-0, 15KOs) stopped Paul Smith in 9 rounds in Oakland, Calif.  Hunter said that he was glad that Ward, who was coming off of a 19 month layoff, was able to go deep into the fight.

"I wanted him to get some rounds in and box.  Just get some rounds in and let everything come to him and not look for the stoppage.  I just wanted him to be him and he did that," Hunter explained.

The veteran trainer said that now that Ward has signed a new promotional deal with Roc Nation Sports, he hopes that he will be a more active fighter.

"I would like to see him get 4 fights in a year's span.  Get into a groove and go from there.  That way he can end up his career like I believe he will," Hunter told BoxingScene.com.

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