Andre Ward beats Paul Smith in long-awaited return to ring
June 24, 2015
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — As soon as Andre Ward found his stride following his lengthy layoff, the fight quickly came to an end. Ward made a triumphant return to the ring and delighted his home crowd when he stopped England’s Paul Smith in the ninth round Saturday night in a nontitle fight. “It took some time to get the ring rust off,” Ward said. “I started with the jab. I wanted to come out big bang and get a first round KO but I have a great coach and he told me to take my time and the