At the Oracle Arena, Oakland, it was one-way traffic all night long from Andre Ward. The California crowd witnessed the former Super Middleweight champion conquer Paul Smith with ease. As was expected.
After shutting out Smith in arguably every round, Ward then got the job done early. Joe Galagher threw in the towel in the 9th to save Smith who was getting overwhelmed and sporting a gushing cut on his left eye. At that time, BoxingBase.com had it 80-72 for Ward.
Was the stoppage premature? Could he have carried on?
Smith (35-6, 20 KO) could have perhaps survived the round – but what would have been the point? His connecting shots had been far and few between throughout the fight, and Ward was putting in a boxing clinic.
Ward (28-0, 15 KO) played the smarter, savvier pugilist tonight, landing with crisp, head-snapping jabs, rights, and occasional straight-punch combinations. It was a fight he was supposed to look comfortable in, and that he did.
As for Smith, 32, he may have seen his last chance to bring home a world title. He may have put in a commendable performance against Abraham in their first encounter back in 2014, but he’s now starting to look increasingly lackluster at this level.
Galagher’s game plans have proved most ineffective in these last three fights against Abraham and Ward. In fact, it’s a bit of a mystery what those blueprints really entail. They do, however, seem to involve taking Smith’s opponents into the later rounds and looking for the perfect opening.
But, those openings have always failed to materialize.
Ward, 31, will now move onto bigger names, and will likely reclaim his former-mantle before too long. But perhaps we shouldn’t jump on the Ward train just yet? Let’s remember who he actually beat tonight.
BoxingBase.com would like to see Ward claim a notable scalp before he enters our rankings. And that’s only fair to the more active fighters currently filling our positions.
Ward vs Smith: Round by Round
Round 1: Ward jabbing the body. All about the jab. Head, body. Both men feeling each other out with stiff jabs. Ward throws in a straight-right now. Hard jab from Ward, and chopping right-hand in closing seconds. Looks to have the better tool set at this stage. Ward, 10-9
Round 2: Ward jab, looking to land one-twos now. Smith needs to do something here or Ward is going to start going through the gears. Ward uppercut. Smith looking ever so cautious. But even now it’s starting to look like the beginning of a Ward boxing clinic. Smith misses with right-hand. Ward, 10-9 (20-18)
Round 3: Ward working everything off the jab, looking the business. Smith is surely in for a long night/much punishment if he doesn’t start letting his hands go. Ward grins as Smith misses with hook. Hard Ward jab. Double-jab. Hard four-punch combination from Ward! Sees out round in lower gears. Ward, 10-9 (30-27)
Round 4: Smith needs to start swinging big time to make an impression on cards. Ward opening up more, throws three-punch combination. Lands counter-jab. Right-hook to body. Ward four-punch combination! Smith comes forward, lands grazing left-hook. Ward smiles. It’s fair to say Ward has the Brit figured out already. Smith jab to jaw. Ward, 10-9 40-46)
Round 5: Solid one-two from Ward. Ward bossing the action, throwing heavy. Ward jab, uppercut. Body shot. And another. Referee says to keep em’ up. Smith comes forward, chasing shadows. Smith lands to body. Ward looking extremely comfortable in there, not having to answer a thing. Ward jab. Clash of heads in closing seconds, but no cut visible. Ward, 10-9 (50-45)
Round 6: Action continuing much the same. Ward piston-like jab. One-two. No answer from Smith. High-guard from Smith at least offering a good defense. Counter-jab from Ward in exchange. Four-punch combination from Ward! Smith has to start throwing caution to the wind. Rounds are flying by. Big right-hand from Ward. Exhibition stuff. Ward, 10-9 (60-54)
Round 7: Combination from Ward, blocked by Smith. Smith backed up on ropes, covers up. Ward could be looking to end night early. Big right-hand connects from Smith! Ward takes it well, grins. Ward back on the offensive again, straight punches doing their job. Three-punch combination from Ward. Smith comes forward, lands jab. And another. Ward, 10-9 (70-63)
Round 8: Smith’s performance seems akin to that against Arthur Abraham. Just not enough work coming out. Ward opening up now. Notices blood coming from Smith’s left eye. Looks like a nasty cut. Smith jab. Ward jab. Ward one-two. Three-punch combination. Right-hand. Left-uppercut from Ward! Smith truly out of his depth. Ward showboating. Ward, 10-9 (80-72)
Round 9: Ward jab. Right-hand. Combinations flow. Smith looks to open, chasing shadows once again. Smith seems hurt with cut worsening now. Getting overwhelmed by aggressive ward. Ward wants to finish this. And he does! Smith’s corner throws towel in! Premature?
Result: Ward wins via 9th round TKO
BoxingBase.com Scorecard going into 9th: 80-72, Ward
Ward vs Smith: Undercard
Meng Fanlong scored a 2nd round TKO over Albert Avina. Aaron Coley won a Unanimous Decision against Yosmani Abreu. Daniel Franco worked to a Unanimous Decision against Jonathan Alcantara, and Luis Arias stopped Tony Brinson in the 3rd round.
What did you think of Ward vs Smith? Fire away in the comments and give us your take!
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