Comments Thread For: Smith Sees Andre Ward's Inactivity As Big Advantage

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

Paul Smith isn’t naïve.

The British boxer realizes it’ll take the best performance of his 12-year pro career to upset Andre Ward in their light heavyweight fight Saturday night in Oakland, Calif. (BET; 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT). Smith is sure, however, that Ward’s 19-month layoff is a distinct advantage for him.
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[Mr.Daddy]

I'm not sure what Ward means by Ali took three years off. After all, it was obvious that Ali wasn't prepared for Joe Frazier (fight of the century). And that was Ali's third fight back.

[roademier]

and Ali didn't take 3 years off
they were taken from him

[Hougigo]

You sucking ass really doesn't help.... So there's that

[Barcham]

Three and a half years, actually. And upon his return Ali fought three times in 5 months against opponents who were nowhere close to being as feeble as Smith is for Ward.

Leonard had one fight in 5 years and came back to an immediate championship fight against HAGLER. And he won.

Ward takes a year and a half off, by his own choice, claims that he continued to train and remain in shape in the gym during that time off, and still 'needs' multiple tune up fights against bottom of the barrel opponents. Not much of a champion in my book.

[jas]

Ward was inactive before battering Edwin Rodriguez

[daggum]

Ward was inactive before battering Edwin Rodriguez

battered him with clinches until the ref threatened to take rodriguez's purse so he just stood there the rest of the fight awaiting his check.

[Mr.Daddy]

I wish Paul Smith good luck, but I doubt that he'll get the job done. It will be interesting to see how Andre fares after this long layoff.

[rzagza]

Sure Paul sure good luck winning one round.

[rzagza]

The layoff is such a factor Ward is a measly 1 to 70 favorite.