Andre Ward – Paul Smith: Post conversations and observations, Broner facts

Andre Ward - Paul Smith: Post conversations and observations, Broner facts

By W. White: Last Saturday night, as I observed Super Middleweight champion Andre Ward (28-0, 14KO’s) disassemble Britton Paul Smith (35-6, 20 KO’s) from press row, I had questions. What was the purpose them fighting at a 172lb catch weight? Did Paul Smith purposely coming overweight to give him some sort of advantage? Is this a fight the general boxing public really wanted to see? How would Andre Ward perform given his 19 month absence from the ring? Who could possibly be next after this fight? As the fight progressed and I observed Ward tactfully picking his spots with his jab and sneaking in straight rights through Smith’s guard, I realized it was only a matter of time.

Ward kept Smith in the middle of the ring circling, probing, and striking routinely as Smith surprisingly continued to move forward. By the middle rounds, Smith’s face was flush and beginning to swell. It would seem as if this was just an over-hyped sparring match for Ward to continue to pick a part his opponent and shake of any ring dust. I say dust because there was an apparent lack of rust as Ward seemed sharp, movement wise, defensively and in overall ring generalship.

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Andre Ward – Paul Smith weigh-in

Andre Ward - Paul Smith weigh-in

By Waldon White: Earlier today, WBC super middleweight champion Andre S.O.G. Ward (27-0 14 KO’s) and challenger Paul “Real Gone Kid” Smith (35-5, 20 KO’s) came together to weigh in for Saturday nights main event at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. Fellow Roc Nation fighter Miguel Cotto also stopped by for a photo op. Ward weighed in at 171.8lbs, looking lean and ready to fight. Paul Smith weighed in at 176.4 lbs, which was 4.4 lbs. over the agreed upon 172 catch-weight.

Smith’s camp decided to accept the fine rather than lose the additional weight required of all professional fighters. Smith may somehow think that the extra weight may give him an advantage over Ward, who has not fought since 2013.

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