Moments ago at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, undefeated super middleweight king Andre Ward made a successful return to the ring, stopping challenger Paul Smith in the 9th round after nearly a two-year layoff. Ward dominated from start to finish as Smith never really offered up any resistance. Ward consistently landed jabs and right hands, opening up a cut on Smith that was bleeding all over his face. After nearly 9 rounds of seeing their man taking a beating, Smith's corner threw in the towel and the referee called a halt to the assault. Relive all the action in FightHype's round-by-round results.
ROUND 1
Ward comes out looking to establish his jab. Left hook from Ward is partially blocked. Jab to the body lands for Ward. They trade jabs. Jab lands for Ward. Smith keeping his guard up and tight. Ward continues to fire his jab. 1-2 from Ward bounces off the gloves of Smith. Jab to the body lands for Ward. STIFF jab lands for Ward. Chopping right lands for Ward. All Ward that round.
Ward 10 Smith 9
ROUND 2
Smith jabs to the body. Ward backs him up to the ropes. Right hand from Ward bounces off the forehead of Smith. Smith jabs to the body. Chopping right lands for Ward. Looping right lands for Ward. Smith fires to the body. HARD uppercut from Ward snaps Smith's head back. Quick jab lands for Ward. They trade jabs. Counter left hook lands for Ward. 1-2 lands for Ward. The face of Smith already marked up. Smith not throwing much of anything back. Ward pumping the jab in his face. Round to Ward.
Ward 20 Smith 18
ROUND 3
Ward comes out a little more aggressive this round. Right to the body followed by two lefts land for Ward. Jab lands for Ward. Straight right for Ward gets through the guard. Another right gets in for Ward. Jab lands for Ward. Again. Nice right lands for Ward. Double jabs lands for Ward. Smith jabs to the body, but he eats a right from Ward. Nice four-punch combo lands for Ward. Smith misses with a wild left. Round to Ward.
Ward 30 Smith 27
ROUND 4
Ward's dominance continues in this round. More jabs land for Ward. One-two lands for Ward. Another jab lands for Ward. Smith looks like a deer in headlights. Uppercut gets in for Ward. Right hand lead lands for Ward. Smith just covering up. Jab and one-two from Ward. Round to Ward.
Ward 40 Smith 36
ROUND 5
Ward looking to chop Smith down now as he's really investing to the body. Smith jabs to the body, but he takes a hard left hook to the body from Ward. Right lands for Ward. 1-2 lands for Ward. Smith just covering up. Ward jabs. Round to Ward.
Ward 50 Smith 45
ROUND 6
Ward just banging on the gloves of Smith, hoping that he opens up and tries to fight back. Smith just not offering anything in return. Ward lands a 1-2. Left hook lands for Ward. Smith gets in a right upstairs. Ward shrugs it off. Ward jabs to the body. Ward blasts the guard of Smith with a couple rights. Round to Ward.
Ward 60 Smith 54
ROUND 7
Ward lands a left to the body. Right lands for Ward. Smith backs up to a corner. Smith fires a right. Ward comes back with a 1-2. Another 1-2 from Ward blasts through the guard. Counter right lands for Ward. Ward lands a barrage of punches against the ropes. Smith sneaks in a left. Ward backs him up with some jabs. Round to Ward.
Ward 70 Smith 63
ROUND 8
Ward backing up looking to counter. Smith fires some shots that fall short. 1-2 to the guard for Ward. Again. Blood streaming down the side of Smith's face. Ward peppers him with some jabs. Left hook lands for Ward. Smith fires a right. Jab and a right lands for Ward. Round to Ward.
Ward 80 Smith 72
ROUND 9
Ward lands some jabs. Smith comes forward with his guard up. They trade jabs. Ward teeing him up for that right hand. Smith fires back with a left. Ward unloads on him against the ropes. Hard right lands for Ward and Smith backs up. Ward lands another barrage of shots on the ropes. Blood all over the face of Smith. That's it. Smith's corner throws in the towel.
THE WINNER BY WAY OF TKO IN THE 9TH ROUND...ANDRE WARD
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