Andre Ward made an impressive return to the ring with a ninth-round stoppage of England's Paul Smith at Oakland's Oracle Arena on Saturday.

Fighting for the first time in 19 months because of a protracted legal dispute with his former promoter, the late Dan Goosen, Ward dominated from the start against the former British champion, whose corner threw in the towel with Smith's face covered with blood.

Smith spent most of the fight in defensive mode and although he did connect with a big right-hand in the seventh, Ward shrugged it off and responded with his own flurry which opened up a cut on his opponent.

He landed more big punches in the eighth as blood started dripping down the left side of Smith's face.

"It took some time to get the rust out," said Ward. "I started strong with the jab. I really wanted to come out with a big bang. I have a great coach and he told me take your time and the knockout will come. I could see his legs getting a little wobbly."

Another cut opened in the ninth before trainer Joe Gallagher threw in the towel and Smith said he thought he broke his nose in that final round.

                 

"I know there's another level I can be at where I'm not thinking about anything. There's another level of sharpness and being crisp that I have. ... I felt like I did good tonight but I know I have better," Ward said.

"I know what he was trying to do. He was trying to lure me in then hit me with the big right hand. He hit me with a couple of good shots but he didn't hurt me. I'm just so happy to be back in the boxing ring. It's been a long time. It was creeping up on two years."