By Terence Dooley

Liverpool’s Paul Smith, 35-5 (20), will have to produce the fight of his life this weekend when he meets the comebacking Andre Ward, 27-0 (14), in Oakland, California.

The 32-year-old Liverpudlian knows that he has a huge task on his hands, but he believes that Ward’s long break from boxing has shortened the odds.  However, he knows that he may only get a single chance at glory due to the American’s style of boxing.

“Not many people like the way he (Ward) fights; he's like (Jose) Mourinho in football,” he said when speaking to the Liverpool Echo.  “He'll win by whatever means necessary because he doesn't care what it looks like; he's happy to drag you into a boring fight as long as he wins—that's his attitude and mentality but credit where credit is due, he's an Olympic gold medalist that hasn't lost a fight since he was 13 years of age.

He added: “There's a lot of pressure when I'm at home with tickets, fans, friends, family and the Liverpool thing.  I seem to fight better when I travel so, believe it or not, it's better for me; I don't mind walking into his backyard or into a hostile crowd.  I stick to my gameplan better away from home.  People that know me, know how tough I am, the heart I have got and that I'll give everything I have.  I have got to take my chance when I get it.  I think I will catch him, and when I do, I'm hoping it has the effect that I think it will have.  I'm hoping to capitalise and jump on that.”

Ward, 31, last boxed in November 2013, a decision win over Edwin Rodriguez, then become embroiled in a promotional dispute.  Now signed with Roc Nation Sports, the former world Super middleweight champion wants to get busy again and selected Smith following the former British champion’s solid, albeit losing, performances against Arthur Abraham in Germany over the past year.

Please send news and views to @Terryboxing.