photo: Lukie

Oakland, CA – Andre Ward (28-0 15KOs) returned after a nearly two year layoff to destroy Paul Smith forcing Smith’s trainer, Joe Gallagher, to the throw in and cause a halt to the action in the ninth round.

The fight was utter dominance as the natural southpaw ward fought out of the orthodox stance using his jab as his power punch often throwing a jab-straight right-jab combo with all of his power last punch the jab. Ward also used began to invest in a stiff jab to Smith’s body that seemed to really hurt hopes of Smith being able to do anything other than walk forward.

The fight was contested at 172 lbs. catchweight, a weight that Ward explained was simply put in place so he didn’t have to tax his body on a comeback fight. Fighters often only have so many weight cuts in their body and I read the implication is Ward wants the opponent or opposition to be right or a title to be on the line to lose the last four pounds to get to super middleweight, 168 lbs.

Another storyline was Smith missing weight by four pounds the day prior as Smith blamed water retention from traveling on a plane six days prior. It was also reported by members close to the situation who spoke on the terms of anonymity that Smith was working out from 8am the day of the weigh in which he came in four pounds over weight.

The end of the fight came in the ninth round with Smith’s corner throwing in the towel as Ward was battering a bloody Smith around the ring as it was becoming very one sided.

The end came in round nine, when Smith’s corner threw in the towel after a right hand from Ward.

In the post-fight presser, Ward was non-comital to any weight class or fight, but explained he will never be sorry for wanting to fight in Oakland, CA

The total attendance for the show was 9,016 in which Roc Nation Sports commented that this was the first card they had promoted in which the crowd arrived early and was their for every fight. Golden State Warrior and NBA MVP Stephen Curry led Andre Ward to the ring as well.

In the co-main event, Antonio Nieves and Stephon Young fought to a draw. Nieves out landed Young 2 to 1, but the big takeaway was a lack of urgency from either fighter as neither fighter made an adjustment that allowed either man to win the fight as it was ruled a split decision draw. You can watch Nieves reaction after the fight as well as his team mates reaction.