Dmitry Bivol vs. Joe Smith Jr. - March 9, 2019

[Ruthless-RKO]

Dmitry Bivol’s DAZN debut has been scheduled for March 9.



Multiple sources have informed BS.com that Bivol will defend his WBA light heavyweight title that night against Joe Smith Jr. Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, is among the sites under consideration for that card, but the venue hadn’t been finalized as of Tuesday afternoon.

Bivol’s title defense versus Smith will mark the first fight of the Russian champion’s multi-fight agreement with DAZN, a deal first reported by RingTV.com on Monday.

DAZN offered Bivol a sizeable sum of money for the rights to stream his fights, but Bivol (15-0, 11 KOs) could have difficulty securing top opponents at light heavyweight if he defeats the hard-hitting Smith (24-2, 20 KOs). All of the other light heavyweight champions – Eleider Alvarez (WBO), Artur Beterbiev (IBF) and Oleksandr Gvozdyk (WBC) – are affiliated with ESPN through that network’s partnership with promoter Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc.

The DAZN card headlined by Bivol-Smith will go head-to-head with a FOX telecast March 9. FOX’s show will feature WBC welterweight champ Shawn Porter (29-2-1, 17 KOs) and mandatory challenger Yordenis Ugas (23-3, 11 KOs) in the main event from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

[DrDuke]

Not a good situation for Smith, especially considering the fact he had some chances to take on an easier belt-holding guy, who was Beter. But in Bivol matchup I probably won't pick Smith. In any case he is a tough guy, he can give a fight to Bivol. Yet I see Bivol as a winner by UD.

[Onetimeonly]

Tough break for Smith, he had a good shot against beterbiev.

[oogiebe]

Smith having only fought twice in two years (11 rounds in all) will be outworked; outboxed; and decisioned easily by the superior Bivol, IMHO. I don't see it close.

[DrDuke]

Tough break for Smith, he had a good shot against beterbiev.

Beter's team saved him somehow.

[Onetimeonly]

Smith having only fought twice in two years (11 rounds in all) will be outworked; outboxed; and decisioned easily by the superior Bivol, IMHO. I don't see it close.

Agreed, terrible style. Beterbiev suits him.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Bivol-Smith 3/9 DAZN Show Heading To Turning Stone Resort

All within the last 24 hours, Dmitry Bivol’s debut on DAZN has landed a chief supporting bout and—most importantly—a home.

The unbeaten 28-year old from Russia will next defend his light heavyweight title versus Joe Smith Jr. in a March 9 bout that will mark his first on DAZN, with whom he signed an exclusive deal. The bout will take place at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York.

Eddie Hearn, the primary boxing content provider for DAZN, revealed the location during a press conference held Friday in New York City, where he is promoting a live card.

“It’s been a huge week for DAZN, of course with the big news break of Canelo Alvarez and Danny Jacobs on May 4 for all of their middleweight titles,” Hearn noted, clearly hyping up DAZN’s recent schedule additions. “Now we have more big news to share, which is why we are here today.”

Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing is now one of the many entities involved in the career of Bivol (15-0, 11KOs), who has quickly made a name for himself as among the best light heavyweights in the world.

His decision to sign with DAZN, however, left many boxing experts a bit stumped considering the wealth of divisional talent resides largely on ESPN and—via Premier Boxing Champions (PBC)—Showtime and Fox.

The driving force behind Bivol’s pro career helped clear the air.

“This is our first time working with DAZN, working together and beginning to build a relationship,” explained Vadim Kornilov, Bivol’s manager. “This first fight is a big step toward that.

“We were talking to all of the networks, but to be part of a team is very important. It started with World of Boxing (in Russia, then we came to work with Kathy Duva in the United States. Now it’s Matchroom (part of the team) who worked with Dmitry in Monaco.”

Kornilov teased that several of his other rising prospects—including highly touted heavyweight Sergey Kuzmin (14-0, 11KOs) could wind up on the undercard.
One fight that is in fact confirmed—in fact, first reported by BS.com on Thursday—is the show’s co-feature attraction.

Unbeaten super lightweight titlist Maurice Hooker once again hits the road for a title defense, as the Dallas native heads to upstate New York to face undefeated Mikkle LesPellier (20-0-1, 9KOs).

[Ruthless-RKO]

Days after signing a promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing USA, undefeated WBA World Light Heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol will make his fifth title defense against Joe Smith Jr. on March 9 at Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, New York. This card will also feature WBO Super Lightweight titlist Maurice Hooker defending his belt against undefeated challenger Mikkel LesPierre. The fighters gathered at Madison Square Garden this afternoon to discuss the upcoming stacked card, which will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN. (photos by Ed Mulholland).

[Cent0089]

I was thinking Bivol is nothing special until he destroyed Barera. DId not expect that. Joe Smith is tough man but he cannot outbox Bivol. Stoppage is only option for him. IMO Bivol by wide UD here.

[Mexi-Box]

Smith has the power to stop anyone. This'll be the first puncher Bivol has faced. I like Bivol, but I've been souring on his recent performances. Gvozdyk is taking the division by a storm, though.

[lazboy]

Bivol will light Smith up and stop him late.

[oogiebe]

Bivol will light Smith up and stop him late.

[jamamb]

ya bert-smith was way more interesting then this, that was one where smith was going to get chances to land his big shots

this i imagine bivol will just peck away and either win a shutout or later stopapge

[Ruthless-RKO]

Smith has the power to stop anyone. This'll be the first puncher Bivol has faced. I like Bivol, but I've been souring on his recent performances. Gvozdyk is taking the division by a storm, though.

Gvozdyk has only just won the belt. Hardly taking the division by storm..... yet!

[jamamb]

i agree, i liked his performance vs steve and thought he showed some good ability in several areas, but hes been a bit hot and cold, still plenty to prove vs good opponents

[brilo33]

i d loved to see joe smith bang him out which is only way he can win . i rate bivol the best light heavey weight bar ward in the divison ,i can see him make joe look wild and amture ,

[oogiebe]

i d loved to see joe smith bang him out which is only way he can win . i rate bivol the best light heavey weight bar ward in the divison ,i can see him make joe look wild and amture ,

He'll out work Smith and wear him down and perhaps take him out late.

[Mexi-Box]

Smith has the power to stop anyone. This'll be the first puncher Bivol has faced. I like Bivol, but I've been souring on his recent performances. Gvozdyk is taking the division by a storm, though.

Gvozdyk has only just won the belt. Hardly taking the division by storm..... yet!

Oh sorry, he just stopped an undefeated lineal titlist who was coming off one of the best wins of his career. Sorry, I forgot how finnicky boxing fans are. I'll come back when he's cleaned out the division. That's when we can start praising him.

[oogiebe]

Smith has the power to stop anyone. This'll be the first puncher Bivol has faced. I like Bivol, but I've been souring on his recent performances. Gvozdyk is taking the division by a storm, though.

Gvozdyk has only just won the belt. Hardly taking the division by storm..... yet!

Oh sorry, he just stopped an undefeated lineal titlist who was coming off one of the best wins of his career. Sorry, I forgot how finnicky boxing fans are. I'll come back when he's cleaned out the division. That's when we can start praising him.

Gvozdyk stopped Stevenson who wasn't undefeated, last I looked. In fact, he's never stopped an undefeated opponent.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Gvozdyk has only just won the belt. Hardly taking the division by storm..... yet!

Oh sorry, he just stopped an undefeated lineal titlist who was coming off one of the best wins of his career. Sorry, I forgot how finnicky boxing fans are. I'll come back when he's cleaned out the division. That's when we can start praising him.

Gvozdyk stopped Stevenson who wasn't undefeated, last I looked. In fact, he's never stopped an undefeated opponent.

Also he said coming off one of his best wins of his career?

He didn’t even beat Jack. It was a draw .

[oogiebe]

Oh sorry, he just stopped an undefeated lineal titlist who was coming off one of the best wins of his career. Sorry, I forgot how finnicky boxing fans are. I'll come back when he's cleaned out the division. That's when we can start praising him.

Gvozdyk stopped Stevenson who wasn't undefeated, last I looked. In fact, he's never stopped an undefeated opponent.

Also he said coming off one of his best wins of his career?

He didn’t even beat Jack. It was a draw .

I think he's just a kid looking for attention, TBH.

[Mexi-Box]

Oh sorry, he just stopped an undefeated lineal titlist who was coming off one of the best wins of his career. Sorry, I forgot how finnicky boxing fans are. I'll come back when he's cleaned out the division. That's when we can start praising him.

Gvozdyk stopped Stevenson who wasn't undefeated, last I looked. In fact, he's never stopped an undefeated opponent.

Also he said coming off one of his best wins of his career?

He didn’t even beat Jack. It was a draw .

I had him beating Jack close but clear. I don't think Jack deserved a draw there.

[Mexi-Box]

Gvozdyk has only just won the belt. Hardly taking the division by storm..... yet!

Oh sorry, he just stopped an undefeated lineal titlist who was coming off one of the best wins of his career. Sorry, I forgot how finnicky boxing fans are. I'll come back when he's cleaned out the division. That's when we can start praising him.

Gvozdyk stopped Stevenson who wasn't undefeated, last I looked. In fact, he's never stopped an undefeated opponent.

Yeah, because a defeat a long time ago, avenged, certainly means something . As I said, this forum is notoriously clueless. Stevenson was an undefeated champion at LHW and had been for years. I think even an ant could understand that.

[Mexi-Box]

Gvozdyk stopped Stevenson who wasn't undefeated, last I looked. In fact, he's never stopped an undefeated opponent.

Also he said coming off one of his best wins of his career?

He didn’t even beat Jack. It was a draw .

I think he's just a kid looking for attention, TBH.

Says one of the most clueless posters that said one of the most clueless things ever.

[oogiebe]

Oh sorry, he just stopped an undefeated lineal titlist who was coming off one of the best wins of his career. Sorry, I forgot how finnicky boxing fans are. I'll come back when he's cleaned out the division. That's when we can start praising him.

Gvozdyk stopped Stevenson who wasn't undefeated, last I looked. In fact, he's never stopped an undefeated opponent.

Yeah, because a defeat a long time ago, avenged, certainly means something . As I said, this forum is notoriously clueless. Stevenson was an undefeated champion at LHW and had been for years. I think even an ant could understand that.

Um, you said (see bold) Undefeated lineal Titlist. Now you say his one defeat doesn't count because it was "a long time ago?" These are your words. You are either full of shvt or an absolute moron as you continually try to call out others with asinine posts such as these.