Oakland’s Andre Ward says he’s ready for return to ring Saturday

Saturday night is more like a party, and chance for Oakland fans to welcome back the WBA super middleweight to the ring after a 19-month absence.There even will be music, as this is Ward's first fight for Jay-Z's Roc Nation Sports promotion company, and there is a concert to keep fans bopping before and after the fighters are bobbing and weaving.Ward (27-0, 14 knockouts) is fighting Paul Smith (35-5, 20 knockouts) in what is basically a warm-up match for bigger things.Smith lost his past two fights by decision to Germany's Arthur Abraham for the WBO super middleweight belt.Ward battered Abraham four years ago in a WBA title defense.Ward, though, says he has been plenty active in his training — and interrupted building up his opponent for a reality check."It's a beautiful thing when you come to fight week and you know that you haven't cut any corners," Ward said.[...] again, that's for down the road as Ward needs to get in some rounds against Smith in his comeback fight.Ward had a lengthy legal dispute with his former promoter, Dan Goossen, who died in September.