Joe Smith To Return in May

[Ruthless-RKO]

After being boxing's Cinderella story of 2016, it was Sullivan Barrera who struck midnight for Joe Smith Jr. - who was defeated by the Cuban back on July 15th of last year.

To add insult to injury, Smith suffered a broken jaw early in that contest and has been laid up since.

Smith's promoter, Joe DeGuardia, gave BS.com an update on his fighter.

"Joe had his operation for his jaw and now he's getting his impacted wisdom tooth pulled - which is what caused the broken jaw in the first place. And it looks like he'll be ready and we'll put him back in May," DeGuardia said.

Most likely Smith (23-2, 19 KO's) will get a tune-up bout before going back into the deep waters of the light heavyweight division.

"Look, it's always a fight but it's going to be a fight I'm going to base around him, I'm going to create a show for him," admitted DeGuardia.

During Smith's layoff, a lot has happened at 175. Andre Ward announced his retirement from the sport. Ward vacated all three of his world titles, and now there are three new world champions - as Artur Beterbiev now holds the IBF belt, Dmitry Bivol is the champion of the WBA, and Sergey Kovalev has the WBO's title.

[gilgamesh]

I'd love to see Joe Smith vs Badou Jack. That seems like it'd be a competitive matchup.

I can see that one taking a while to make so it'd be fun to just see him in there with other action guys. Joe Smith vs Thomas Williams Jr. would be fun.

[Bard of Boxrec]

I'd love to see Joe Smith vs Badou Jack. That seems like it'd be a competitive matchup.

I can see that one taking a while to make so it'd be fun to just see him in there with other action guys. Joe Smith vs Thomas Williams Jr. would be fun.

Really? I think Jack would win convincingly.

[gilgamesh]

Smith vs Thomas Williams Jr. makes more sense to do first.

[Mexi-Box]

I'd love to see Joe Smith vs Badou Jack. That seems like it'd be a competitive matchup.

I can see that one taking a while to make so it'd be fun to just see him in there with other action guys. Joe Smith vs Thomas Williams Jr. would be fun.

Really? I think Jack would win convincingly.

Smith has enough power to knock him out like Edwards did. I can see Smith by KO.

[Kalan]

I'd love to see Joe Smith vs Badou Jack. That seems like it'd be a competitive matchup.

I can see that one taking a while to make so it'd be fun to just see him in there with other action guys. Joe Smith vs Thomas Williams Jr. would be fun

I wouldn't do Jack right now... That's a year off... The problem is Smith looked spectacular against a man who was 52 years old... Then he looked fantastic against Fonfara with a very quick KO... You can't judge a boxer on that... You have to look at his skills and exactly where his skills are at.. Smith's skills aren't finished... He needs at least 5 more fights - so you do those fights and evaluate where his skills are at after those fights, if that takes a year or a year and a half.

You shouldn't judge him on his power.. or his resistance.. or his conditioning.. or his speed or other natural assets that may be outstanding... They will carry him through certain fights when he's not facing a good boxer - which Jack is a real good boxer.. So you don't put him in that fight unless or until he's a skill match.. Then he has an excellent chance to win..

[jewboypgh]

I like Smith. Just a tough SOB.

[KiwiRider]

So glad Joe is getting back in the ring. I'm not entirely sure why I'm a fan, but I do like his fights so far. The courage in going the distance with a broken jaw ( and having his moments too) against Barrera probably sealed it for me.
I don't want to see him fight Jack just yet. Badou Jack is Mr Underrated, and he should be frying bigger fish than Smith Jr.

[SenorPipino]

Jack's the much better fighter, but it's unlikely he's take a risk against a dangerous puncher like Smith, when a Stevenson fight seems to be in the offing.

[jamamb]

jacks not underrated when practically everyone now calls him underrated