Ward returns Smith's weight fine

[StefanTosic]

Wow, talk about walking the walk. Didn't see any mention on his social media outlets so this must be an act of integrity rather than a PR move (IE: Broner giving homeless people money while his friends record it for YouTube). After being disrespected by Smith, making little money in 3 years, paying legal fees, medical bills, raising kids, etc, he's either a true man of conviction or just out of his mind. I like to think the former.

Very true, respect to Ward.

[Scipio2009]

Wow, talk about walking the walk. Didn't see any mention on his social media outlets so this must be an act of integrity rather than a PR move (IE: Broner giving homeless people money while his friends record it for YouTube). After being disrespected by Smith, making little money in 3 years, paying legal fees, medical bills, raising kids, etc, he's either a true man of conviction or just out of his mind. I like to think the former.

Ward likely made plenty of money over these past three year, particularly during the 19-month layoff; you see the man decked out in Jordan brand (a major sponsorship deal, in addition to his deals with Everlast and Shoe Palace, among other companies) and those HBO checks couldn't be that bad either.

Ward knows that his family has been blessed mightily and the $30,000 would mean far more to Paul Smith than it would to him.

[BattlingNelson]

Since he apparently isnt the first to do it, I must say that I think it's a terrible idea that may lead to a bad precedent. Smith did not fullfill his contract and was punished accordingly. I don't see how people can think that its classy that he now gets paid anyway.

If Ward didn't want the Money, he could give them to charity. Maybe Weight-Watchers would fit the bill.

[deathofaclown]

To be fair to Smith, as far as i know he's always been an honest pro, never missed weight and generally leaves it all in the ring ring or lose.

Given his track record of professionalism maybe it was just an honest mistake. He might have completely misjudged the weight. He did seem really out of shape compared to usual, all i can think is that he's ballooned up after the Abraham fight and found it too difficult to shift the weight off. I don't believe a guy like Smith who comes from a boxing family and always a proud fighter would intentionally turn up out of shape. Maybe Ward sensed this too in the end.

[Someone88]

Respect Ward is very classy.

[gmc_rfc_06]

Good man.

He's always been classy though so it's not surprising.

[Chrismart]

That's a classy gesture.

[bojangles1987]

I don't think I've ever heard of that before.

[Juof]

Ward is a good guy, i met and spoke with Ward before and he stayed and chatted with me for a while and was very chill with me, but why give the money back? Smith was unprofessional coming in way over weight, he was fairly penalized. Don't understand why he's giving back the money. I must be more of a cynical assh0le than Ward.

Wards a god fearing man. A fair man. Jesus said give to cesar what belongs to cesar, ward gave to smith what belonged to smith.

[soul_survivor]

After fight @andreward showed lot of class by returning all weight fine $$ he got from Smith: $37,500. CSAC still gets its $22,500. #boxing

— Dan Rafael (@danrafaelespn) June 22, 2015

Very classy move. Bear in mind that Andre isn't somebody who's made tons of cash from the sport and he's made nothing in almost two years.

he has made millions from the sport, yes not pac/may type of money but he has been paid handsomely. Even when not boxing for 19 months, he still has more in his coffers than most average joes.