Los Angeles, CA – Undefeated super middleweight and Olympic gold medalist Andre Ward (11-0, 6 KOs) makes his third appearance at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California on Thursday, May 17.

In the scheduled 8-round main event presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions and Roy Jones, Jr’s Square Ring Promotions, the Oakland native will take on Dhafir Smith (16-15-5, 3 KOs) of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania.

Managed by James Prince and trained by Virgil Hunter, the 23-year old Ward is coming off a third-round stoppage of Julio Jean back in March in San Jose.  In his two previous appearances at the Tachi Palace, Ward registered decision wins over Kenny Kost (Ward’s second pro fight in February, 2005) and Kendall Gould (in February of last year). 

In the 24-year old Smith, Ward will be facing a resilient opponent who has only been stopped twice in 36 pro bouts, and has battled to an astounding five draws, including one against Omar Pittman in Pennsylvania his last time out in January.

Nicknamed “No Fear,” for his reckless abandon inside the ring, Smith has fared well against his last two opponents who came into the ring with undefeated records.  He recently won a decision from Henry Mayes (5-0) last August and two months later he fought to an impressive draw with Mike Paschall (10-0).

“There’s no fear in Dhafir,” declared Smith in reference to his nickname.  “I fear no man in the ring, and that includes Olympic gold medal winners and undefeated prospects.  My performance rises to the level of my competition, so I expect to give a good one against Ward.”

On the other hand, with the progression of his abilities inside the ring, Ward is considered one of the rising stars in the squared circle.  Slowed down by a thumb injury last year that put him on the shelf for seven months, Ward looks to keep a busy schedule in 2007.

“I am excited to be back in the ring at Tachi,” Ward exclaimed.  “It’s good for me to stay busy and do it in a place where I have had great learning experiences and success in the past.  The fans out here are tremendous and really love a good fight. That’s what I’m going to give them Thursday night.

“As for my opponent, he says he fears nothing,” Ward continued.  “Well, I’m going to do everything in my power to make all my opponents understand the fear of getting into the ring with me and tasting my speed and power.” 

A fan favorite among the local following in Fresno, Ward’s fight on Thursday catapults him to his first scheduled 10-round bout on the undercard of the Antonio Margarito-Paul Williams HBO event July 14 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California if he comes out with a win.

“As Andre grows in the ring as a fighter, his charismatic and honest charms outside the ring will also capture people’s attention.  He really is too good to believe, a one-of-a-kind human being.   This is what boxing needs, and we’re very excited about his future,” said promoter Dan Goossen.

In other action, WBC Women's Lightweight champion, Jessica Rakoczy (26-2, 10 KOs) fighting out of Las Vegas, NV squares off against Terri Blair (9-11-2, 6 KOs) of Louisville, KY in an 8 round bout and what could be the fight of the night pits the WBC Women's Straweight Champion Nanako Kikuchi (7-1-1, 1 KO) of Toyko, Japan defending her title against the WBC Interim Women's Straweight Champion, Carina Moreno (12-1, 4 KOs) from nearby Watsonville, CA.