No opponent has been named for the Oakland come back. 2 names mentioned in the release were Smith & Marco Antonio Periban. Smith has the Brit Factor and would help fuel appetites for Ward v Froch II. The WBA Rankings on not up to date and if you lose some of the names fighting for other bodies would easily leave room for Smith. Would Smith take another title shot knowing that his only hope was Ward suffering chronic ring rust?
Smith would take it, he isn't going to be scared is he, its not like he will take a beating, just severely outclassed. Periban would be shameful really, he got KO'd in 3 rounds, if memory serves me correctly, by Degale who isn't that sort of puncher more likely to KO you after breaking you down for 6 or 7 rounds. At least Smith has put in two very credible performances, winning one in my opinion, against another champion, would be the perfect fight for Ward.
Good fight for Paul Smith. Can't see him winning it but another good payday, if he is wise and careful with his money he could be set up for life. Good on him hope he gets it
Ward is an ELITE fighter. At least fight someone like Groves or even Abraham. Even Anthony Dirrel would be fine.
True but I would excuse him having one easier fight, considering he has been out of the ring for nearly 2 years, there isn't a fighter that wouldn't to be honest.
After 2 years coming back against someone who has boxed 24 World title rounds in his last 2 bouts don't look that bad on paper. A number of UK fans will travel. Ticks a lot of boxes as a build up to Froch II
I wouldn't expect Ward to fight a top fighter in his first fight back, but Paul Smith? Come on, that is a terrible fight.
Wasn't Ward asking for somewhere in the $2 MILLION range for this fight as well? Most deluded man in Boxing.