Andre Ward vs Paul Smith

Nice ****ysis and pretty spot on. Ward is very skilled and an overall top fighter, with little weakness. Smith is a decent fighter that doesn't excel in any area. He needs to have something outstanding to have a chance, like speed, power or size. Ward has all the advantages, except the power is probably around the same.

 

I managed to erase this joke fight out of the memory until I saw this thread. If Smith beats Ward it will be one of the biggest shocks in boxing history - never mind british boxing. Ward will play with him and administer a painful beating until Gallagher throws in the towel or he's KO'd.

Smith should be fighting Rocky Fielding but I don't blame him for taking the Ward fight - it must be good money as he getting battered.

 

Paul Smith believes he is world class, not sure i share that view, he seems to have developed a chip on his shoulder defending why he is getting world title fights and now the Ward fight. Most fighters would take a world title shot if one came along, just because one is offered does not mean you are that level.

 

Barring a freak incident or cuts, Smith has the same chance as Rodriguez had last night against Lara - none!

 

Unless Ward suffers a freak injury Smith has no chance.

It will be a decent payday for Smith and onto retirement and media work.He will be pulled out mid rounds after giving Ward some rounds imo.

 

He gave Abraham a real good go in the first fight then went the full 12 once more in the rematch whilst falling short.

He's now been offered and accepted the Ward fight but has admitted he will have to be at his absolute best and more + for Ward to be lackluster to get anything out of this fight.

He's been very honest and hasn't been delusional.

Many people seem to enjoy slagging him off. Instead of giving him stick, why don't people actually get behind him for taking and accepting these challenges, putting himself on the line against top level opponents. He's a breath of fresh air from many a fighter and there promoters who like to shirk fights or certain challenges.

 

I dont think Smiths going into this fight in a good way coming off two losses which were tough fights, let alone being underdog.
As for how big an upset, It would be massive and right up there with the big upsets of the past I think

 

All I know is if ward can't stop smith in decent fashion, he needs never venture to 175lbs whilst kovalev, beterbiev and stevenson are there.

 

I know the bookmakers odds aren't everything and some people will disagree but here goes.

The odds vary but typically you are looking at 1/33 for Andre Ward and 12/1 for Paul Smith which says it all. I can't remember the last time a British fighter went into a world title fight as such an underdog even Brian 'The Lion' Rose went up against Demetrius Andrade at odds of around 7/1.

On the World stage James 'Buster' Douglas (42/1 odds) victory over Mike Tyson must go down as the biggest and most high profile upset in the last 30 years (although as mentioned in a previous post I vary much doubt it would have been them high odds in today's market but still upwards of 12/1). From a British perspective Hasim Rahman (20/1 odds) knock out of Lennox Lewis on the 'Thunder in Africa' show was certainly unexpected to say the least.

 

I am pleased for paul Smith getting these fights, great news for him and hope they are excellent purses too and he can set himself up for life.

I can't really give him any chance in this fight, put up excellent fight in the Abraham fight and i had the first one a draw or Paul sneaking it.

But anything can happen in boxing.

 

Whatever profession any of you are in, if you got the chance to work at the highest possible level, on the highest possible wage where you might be out of your depth would you take it? COs i know for a fact i would jump at the chance

 

Very strange lad is Smith , blocks anyone on twitter who doesn't agree with his opinion or shows any hint of criticism , World level for him is just out of reach as hes now failed twice at world level against the weakest belt holder in the division , i dont agree with his thoughts of himself as world level , Domestic/Euro at best imo and even at british hes beat very weak opposition in Tony Dodson and swerved Fielding at every attempt of a defence , Id have Fielding and his younger brother ahead of him even at british level , after Ward i think he will retire and continue his commentary wth SKY

 

Hell, every outcome that's not a Ward shootout would be a surprise. It doesn't look like Smith has a chance of winning a single round, layoff or not. Ward has always looked dominant against far better opponents.

 

One of the biggest upset ever. Smith is dog****, Ward superb.