Tonight at 10:00 p.m. ET on BET Andre Ward will debut Throne Boxing against Paul Smith in Ward's first fight since November 2013, when he wiped out Edwin Rodriguez by unanimous decision in a rough, foul-filled fight. Live stream Ward vs. Smith free by clicking this link.
Ward, prior to his 19-month layoff, was the consensus No. 2 fighter in the world pound-for-pound. He hasn't necessarily lost that title, but fans may have forgotten how gifted Ward is when he's actually inside a ring fighting.
Ward has always been a star inside the ring, but hasn't resonated outside it. He's hoping that his new contract with Roc Nation Sports-he's now stable mates with WBC middleweight champion Miguel Cotto-can help him develop crossover appeal. Part of that will be staying busy, but Ward said his inactivity was all about trying to free himself from former promoter Dan Goosen.
"Some people know what the absence was about. Some people don't know. I was tied up in litigation with my former promoter. It was a stance I had to take. I believed in what I was fighting for. Sometimes when you make a stance, you have to deal with the consequences," Ward said.
"The consequences for me was not being able to do what I love to do, which is get in the ring, entertain the fans and make a living for my family. During those times, when things aren't going your way, they can either make you or break you. It could crush you. It could take everything from you. I thank God for my relationship with him, my family, my friends, the close people I have around me that just stayed on me and continued to encourage me."
Smith, who fights out of England, is a longshot to win tonight. He has some power-20 of his 35 victories have come by way of knockout-but he's lost back-to-back fights to Arthur Abraham by unanimous decision.
"It's going to be an uphill task. Some would say mission impossible, but we plan to spoil the party," Joe Gallagher, Smith's trainer said. His promoter Eddie Hearn thinks Ward's extended layoff will be a boon as well.
"We know Andre Ward is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, absolutely no doubt," Hearn said. "If there's ever a time to fight Andre Ward, it's right now. Andre Ward is a magnificent fighter, but right about now he's inactive, and, of course, the pressure to perform as well exists."
Prediction: Andre Ward def. Paul Smith by KO (Round 4)
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