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12/23/2024 12:40:37 am

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Boxing News & Rumors: Paul Smith Ready For Andre Ward on June 20

Paul Smith

(Photo : Getty Images) Paul Smith raises his hand after the win against David Sarabia last year.

English boxer Paul Smith Jr. has been unheralded for the most part of his 12-year career. On June 20, he will have the chance to jump into the mainstream by fighting current WBA (super) and former WBC and The Ring super middleweight champion Andre Ward at the Golden State Warriors' home court, Oracle Arena in Oakland.

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Smith (35-5, 19 KOs), the current British super middleweight champion, is eager to perform with a bona fide boxing superstar in Ward (27-0, 14 KOs), who had been inactive for almost two years now due to injuries and disputes with his late promoter Dan Goossen.

The California native had injured his right shoulder during a sparring session before a since-cancelled fight with former middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik in 2013. He recovered after six months of rehab but later had contract problems with his promoter. When Goossen passed away in September 2014 because of a liver illness, Ward's future became dimmer.   

However, everything seemed well now for the undefeated American after agreeing for a 12-round clash with the Liverpool native and he reportedly also wants to make the most out of the opportunity.

Meanwhile, the 5-foot-11 Smith is allegedly keen on surprising the 6-foot Ward right at his home turf.

"Every fighter has got two arms and a chin. People are going around and saying all I have got is a puncher's chance but that's all I need," Smith said in an interview with Sky Sports.

Smith also told Boxing Scene that the fight with the 31-year-old proved that he belongs to elite level boxing and that his opponent is a top pound-for-pound fighter whom he respects a lot. But then he promised to be ready for him and will give him all he has got.

Meanwhile, the Englishman intimated to Boxing News 24's Scott Gilfoid that he has a "good game plan" for the next Saturday matchup. The 32-year-old hinted that there is a secret flaw in the American's game that he and trainer Joe Gallagher would most likely exploit during the fight.

Ward is deemed by most boxing pundits as the superior fighter both in close and long ranges and some have even declared that it would take a miracle for Smith to beat Ward even on points.

But Smith insists that Gallagher has set up the perfect antidote to stop Ward.

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