Andre Ward – Paul Smith weigh-in

06/25/201506/19/2015 Waldon White

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.

Ward : I’m Telling The World I’m Back / Smith Realistic

06/19/2015 Olly Campbell

(Photo credit: Tom Hogan – Hoganphotos) Former P4P boss Andre Ward – removed from most lists through his 19 months of inactivity – is keen to make a statement on Saturday night when he fights Britain’s Paul Smith in his Oakland backyard, insisting to Sky Sports – who are screening the bout – that he is out to tell the world he is back.

It’s a monumental task that the Liverpool fighter is facing – irrespective of Ward’s inactivity – and the former 168 lb world title challenger will further be hindered by the 172 lb catch-weight insisted on by the American.

Andre Ward : ‘We Couldn’t Find Carl Froch’

06/18/2015 Olly Campbell

(Photo credit: Tom Hogan – Hoganphotos/Roc Nation Sports) Despite it being his first fight in over a year and a half on Saturday, Andre Ward is in confident mood ahead of his in-ring return against Britain’s Paul Smith, with all signs pointing toward it being nothing but routine business for the American fighter against a man expected to be hopelessly outgunned.

One Brit who Ward was interested in facing once more, is Carl “Will he, Won’t he retire?” Froch – whom the American comprehensively outclassed back in 2011.

Paul Smith: ‘The Ideal Is Me Catching Ward Cold’

06/16/2015 Olly Campbell

British 168 lb contender Paul Smith, goes into the lions den once again this weekend when he takes on unbeaten American Andre Ward in the “S.O.G’s” Californian back-yard – and ahead of the contest the Liverpool fighter has penned a column for Sky Sports, with whom he works as a pundit, to discuss his thoughts and feelings ahead of Saturday’s fight – which will be screened by the channel in the UK.

Smith, who is coming off back-to-back world title challenge defeats to Germany’s Arthur Abraham, surprised many when he was given the nod to face the American former P4P star, who is returning after over 18 months of inactivity.

Andre Ward faces Paul Smith on Saturday in 172lb catch-weight fight

06/15/2015 Jeff Sorby

Andre Ward (27-0, 14 KOs) will be making his long awaited ring return on Saturday in a catch-weight fight at 172 pounds against Paul Smith (35-5, 20 KOs) in Ward’s hometown in Oakland, California from the Oracle Arena. While some boxing fans think the 32-year-old Smith is unworthy of facing Ward, it’s not really a big deal.

Ward’s WBA super middleweight title won’t be on the line because of the fight taking place at a catch-weight of 172 in the light heavyweight division. Smith is coming into the fight for the payday, and of course with the hope that he can somehow pull off a big upset against the rusty Ward.

Paul Smith On Andre Ward: I Can’t Let Him Be His Best

06/10/2015 Olly Campbell

Liverpool’s super middleweight contender and former world title challenger Paul Smith goes into the lion’s den on June 20th when he travels to California and attempts to upset the returning Andre Ward in a fight many are viewing as an uphill struggle for the Brit – who is coming off back-to-back losses against Germany’s Arthur Abraham.

Speaking to fighthype.com, Smith was honest in his appraisal of his chances in the fight and clearly recognises he is a big underdog. However, he believes he can upset the odds if he boxes a smart fight – and is buoyed by the American’s inactivity – Ward last stepped through the ropes back in November of 2013.

Andre Ward vs Paul Smith Jr on June 20 in Oakland

04/23/201504/23/2015 Olly Campbell

So after much rumour and speculation, the confirmation has finally arrived, and it will be Britain’s Paul Smith (35-5, 20ko) who squares off in the opposite corner to the returning Andre Ward (27-0, 14ko) on June 20th in Oakland, California.

Ward is one of America’s best in my opinion, and despite a 19 month lay-off will walk into this non-title bout a heavy betting favourite against the Liverpool fighter, who has been cruelly referred to by fans as “not even the best super middleweight in the Smith family” in reference to younger brother, undefeated 168lb contender Callum Smith (15-0, 11ko).

Abraham defeats Smith; Price defeats Costa Junior

02/22/201502/21/2015 Rob Smith

WBO 168 pound champion Arthur Abraham (42-4, 28 KOs) closed the book on the Paul Smith (35-5, 20 KOs) in handing him his fifth career loss in beating him by a 12 round unanimous decision on Saturday night at the O2 World Arena in Berlin, Germany. Smith fought Abraham to a standstill in the first three rounds of the fight, but in the 4th, Abraham hurt Smith a right hand that caused him to lose his legs for a second.

Smith came back later and had a good round in the 6th after hurting Abraham with a beautiful left to the body. But instead of continuing to go to the body in the remainder of the fight, Smith wasted his efforts in throwing shots into the high guard of Abraham. Those shots were blocked, and this enabled Abraham to dominate from the 7th round. The final judges’ scores were 116-112, 117-111, and 117-111.

Abraham/Smith II: This time Smith knows he can win

02/21/2015 Ryan Forde-Kelly

photo by S. Heger – Paul Smith, 35-4 (20KO’s), travels back across enemy lines tonight when he faces WBO super middleweight champion Arthur Abraham, 41-4 (28KO’s), in Berlin.

It’s been 6 months since the absorbing first bout was marred by some confusing scorecards and in the case of Fernando Laguna’s 119-109 sheet – comical. But, the right decision has been arrived upon and the challenger aims to take full advantage.

“I always thought that this rematch would come. I would be lying if I didn’t think that it might not come off for one reason or another, the only doubt I had really was that he wouldn’t want the fight as he knows that he was in a hard and close fight.

Abraham vs Smith: Weigh-In Video

02/20/201502/20/2015 Wasserman Boxing

Arthur Abraham (41-4, 28 KOs) and Paul Smith (35-4, 20 KOs) both made weight today ahead of their WBO World Super Middleweight Championship rematch on Saturday night at the O2 World in Berlin, Germany. The fighters took to the scales in front of raucous crowd of close to thousand German and British fans at the capital’s famous Berlin Mall.

Full list of weights below:

WBO World Super Middleweight Championship:
Arthur Abraham: 76.1 kg
Paul Smith: 75.1 kg

Heavyweight – 10 Rounds:
David Price: 114.8 kg
Irineu Beato Costa Junior: 119.5 kg