Paul Smith is heading out to America to face Andre Ward and ignore the doubters

Paul Smith is preparing to take on unbeaten American Andre Ward and still can't understand why people say he doesn't deserve the chance...

Live Saturday Fight Night

I am off to America on Saturday morning to start the countdown to the Andre Ward fight and I am looking forward to it.

I'm one of those fighters who knows he has to do all the media work in the days ahead, and it has to be done. Hopefully I will not hear or read anyone else saying I don't deserve this opportunity.

Well, why don't I deserve it? No one else wants to fight Andre Ward, so who deserves to? People then end up calling it a pay day and say I don't deserve that either. Who on this planet does not deserve to go out and earn money for their kids and their wife, their family?

Well, why don't I deserve it? No-one else wants to fight Andre Ward, so who deserves to? People then end up calling it a pay day and say I don't deserve that either. Who on this planet does not deserve to go out and earn money for their kids and their wife, their family?

I have blocked a lot of people on Twitter now and don't follow them, either. I don't know who they are, where they come from and unless they come up to me and tell me what they think, I am not going to be following them.

Even to the point when people say "I like Paul Smith but he's going to get beaten by Andre Ward", it's not what I need. It is nothing personal, but who needs negativity going into any fight, never mind against one of the best in the world?

It wasn't so much the fact that I took this fight that was the issue, but the fact that I didn't deserve it. That's what made me realise it stinks of jealousy.

I can't stand people questioning that. The block button on Twitter has been busy - I just hope my left-hook is working as well as that!

I am not a necessarily a Jay Z fan when it comes to his music, but I know he's a big fight fan and it's a Roc Nation fight, so will get plenty of attention. Anyone who is in the sport to push it and promote it can only be a good thing. I just hope I can give him a bad boxing experience and beat Andre Ward!

My team is coming out in bits and pieces because as you know it's a busy time for Gallagher's team. Joe will come out a little after me because Callum is fighting the week later and needs to do plenty of things before Joe can join me.

Stephen is coming out with me and my dad, Liam is actually out in the States sparring already so he will come over and help me out for the last week. Mick Williamson will come out with Joe.

It's obviously a shame that Callum can't make it and neither can Scott Quigg and Ant Crolla, my usual cornermen. We are such a tight team it will be different but like I say it is a busy time for us all and we've all got tough fights to deal with.

I've got plenty of experience when it comes to these big fights, so I won't get worried, I will be OK, even out in Oakland which is not only Ward's backyard but sounds a tough place - even without the team.

I will just get on with it. It is a job. I know I have to have a good night, and Ward needs a bad night.