Joe Smith vs. Maxim Vlasov - April 10, 2021

[Ruthless-RKO]

[DrDuke]

Three heavyweight fights in action on the card according to boxrec. Not bad comparing to every other undercard in boxing full of flyweights and bantamweights

Three prospects fight three mismatched opponents instead of some fighting each other. Jared Anderson and Trey Lippe doesn't have opponents yet, but no doubt those will be some nobodies.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Three heavyweight fights in action on the card according to boxrec. Not bad comparing to every other undercard in boxing full of flyweights and bantamweights

Three prospects fight three mismatched opponents instead of some fighting each other. Jared Anderson and Trey Lippe doesn't have opponents yet, but no doubt those will be some nobodies.

Yeh, that’s not how boxing works unfortunately..

[Cent0089]

Three heavyweight fights in action on the card according to boxrec. Not bad comparing to every other undercard in boxing full of flyweights and bantamweights

Three prospects fight three mismatched opponents instead of some fighting each other. Jared Anderson and Trey Lippe doesn't have opponents yet, but no doubt those will be some nobodies.

Yeah but still a bit better than three flyweight prospects fighting nobodies :-/ . And maybe they will set Anderson and Morrison against someone who is alive, who knows

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

Joe “The Beast” Smith Jr. and Maxim Vlasov are headed to the Sooner State to fight for the vacant WBO light heavyweight world title Saturday, April 10 at Osage Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

If at first, you can’t fight, try again.

They were originally scheduled to fight Feb. 13, but Vlasov tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the weigh-in, forcing a postponement.

In the 10-round co-feature, unbeaten heavyweight contender Efe Ajagba will take on Brian “MVP” Howard.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and Tony Holden Productions, Smith-Vlasov and Ajagba-Howard will be broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ at 5:30p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT, including a trio of big-punching heavyweights: Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson and Tulsa natives Trey Lippe Morrison (16-0, 16 KOs) and Jeremiah Milton (2-0, 2 KOs).

Ticket information for this world championship event will be announced shortly.

“Joe Smith Jr. deserves this opportunity, and I know Maxim Vlasov will give him a great challenge,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “The light heavyweight division is one of the hottest in boxing, and the winner will have no shortage of lucrative opportunities.”

Smith (26-3, 21 KOs), the “Common Man” from Long Island, hopes his 2021 kicks off where 2020 concluded. Last August, he broke through inside the MGM Grand Las Vegas Bubble, knocking former world champion Eleider “Storm” Alvarez out and through the ropes. Smith has won three straight bouts since his first world title opportunity in March 2019, a unanimous decision loss to Dmitry Bivol. He became a household name in boxing in 2016 when he knocked living legend Bernard Hopkins through the ropes and into retirement.

“I am extremely motivated after all I have been though in my career,” Smith said. “I am proud of all I have accomplished, and I am confident I will bring the belt home on April 10 and move forward with my goal of unifying belts and proving I am the best light heavyweight in the world.”

Said Joe DeGuardia, CEO of Star Boxing, “We all worked very hard to get Smith and Vlasov back in the ring as soon as possible, not just for the fans that love to watch the ‘Common Man’ fight, but for Joe, who is very anxious to become world champion. The blue-collar banger that is Joe Smith Jr. will be ready to fight and thrill the fans. He is laser-focused and fully intends on bringing the WBO world title to Long Island on April 10.”

Vlasov (45-3, 26 KOs), from Samara, Russia, is 3-0 at light heavyweight since moving down from cruiserweight, where he became a top contender and challenged for an interim world title. He had a banner 2019 at light heavyweight, knocking out the 14-1 Omar Garcia, avenging a previous defeat with a unanimous decision over Isaac Chilemba, and shutting out the 15-0 Emmanuel Martey over 10 rounds.

“I am ready to return to the ring and become the new WBO light heavyweight world champion,” Vlasov said. “The postponement was a minor setback, but it will be worth the wait when I have that belt around my waist.”

Ajagba (14-0, 11 KOs), a 2016 Nigerian Olympian, is one of world boxing’s most accomplished young heavyweights. At 26 years old, he’s already knocked out the likes of longtime contender Amir Mansour and former world title challenger Razvan Cojanu. He made his Top Rank debut last September and outlasted veteran Jonathan Rice via decision over 10 rounds. Howard (15-4, 12 KOs) is an 11-year pro who has split a pair of bouts since moving up to heavyweight. In August 2019, he knocked out 2008 Puerto Rican Olympian Carlos Negron in the first round.

[bobcatbox]

Really excited that Big Baby is on this undercard.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Finally!!

Fight week!!

[bobcatbox]

Finally!!

Fight week!!

It’s a hard choice.. both cards are really good this weekend. My heart says to watch Joey KO Vlasov but my boxing brain says I wanna see Ennis step up. Good thing they invented DVR.

[JamesPhilips]

Vlasov looks durable. Smith points?

[dookus]

Vlasov looks durable. Smith points?

That's how I see it

[Ruthless-RKO]

What is Smith just gets schooled??

[margaret thatcher]

What is Smith just gets schooled??

doubt that happens, he hardly lost a round vs hart and alvarez. he's come on a lot

i dont think vlasov is any better than those guys, though he is a big durable guy and id expect him to take shots better than they did

smith decision does make a lot of sense for this one. if h does get a stoppage it will be a retire on stool type of accumulation

[Ruthless-RKO]

Joe Smith: Happy They Got Vlasov Fight Done So Soon

Joe Smith already had the rest of the month planned out by the time he hit the Las Vegas strip—win the light heavyweight title, get married, enjoy his honeymoon and hunt down his next divisional target.

One out of four isn’t bad in the grand scheme of things.

The phone call came during on the day of the final pre-fight press conference that Smith (26-3, 21KOs) was no longer due to fight that Saturday after opponent Maxim Vlasov (45-3, 26KOs) tested positive for COVID-19. In an instant, dreams of holding that WBO light heavyweight title were gone and his desire to nail down a long-desired showdown with lineal champion Artur Beterbiev placed on hold.

“Thankfully, we were able to move forward with the wedding,” Smith told Boxing Scene in his best effort to remain positive in recalling the entire ordeal. “Right after the wedding, I went right back to training.

“I was able to enjoy married life for a day or two and then right back to the gym.”

Co-promoters Top Rank and Star Boxing were able to work feverishly to get the vacant WBO light heavyweight title fight back on the books. The Feb. 13th show moved on without the fight, which will now headline the April 10 edition of Top Rank Boxing on ESPN. The location has moved as well, transferring from the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas to the Osage Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

It meant back-to-back full training camps for Smith, who hails from the Mastic Beach section of Eastern Long Island, New York. A win on Saturday will make Smith the fourth-ever boxer born and raised in Long Island to win a major title, though there still remains unfinished business well beyond Saturday.

“I was happy they got it done so soon,” notes Smith. “When I got to the bubble, I was in great shape and ready to go. My wedding was planned for the week after and our honeymoon right after that. We had to reschedule the honeymoon.

“It affected my wife, her family, my family. My girlfriend—my wife now—she knows what’s at stake. She got right on the phone, started calling people and moving things around. We went through a lot of changes in just one week. Fight gets canceled and then I get married. It was a stressful couple of weeks but we got through it. Now it’s time to do it again, this time actually get to fight and win that world title.”

The plan from there is to secure a three-belt showdown with Beterbiev (16-0, 16KOs), the reigning lineal champion and unified WBC/IBF titlist who returned from a 21-month layoff to score a 10th round layoff of Adam Deines in March. Hopes are for a head-on collision later this year, though not before Smith first takes care of one other important matter.

“Right now, all I have on my mind is getting this guy (Vlasov) out of there as early as possible and then enjoying my honeymoon,” notes Smith. “I plan on going away right after the fight. We’re doing our honeymoon as soon as this fight is over.

“Once we get back, the goal is to hunt down Beterbiev and become a unified world champion.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

[JamesPhilips]

Is it true that Vlasov had covid? If so when?

[dookus]

Is it true that Vlasov had covid? If so when?

In early February apparently. He claims not to have had symptoms, so it might or might not have an impact (unlike Povetkin, who was hospitalised twice).

https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/ ... e-smith-jr

Maxim Vlasov tests positive for COVID-19, postponing light heavyweight title fight vs. Joe Smith Jr.

Feb 11, 2021

Brett Okamoto
ESPN Staff Writer
...
"I am devastated with the postponement of my world title fight against Joe Smith Jr.," Vlasov said in a statement. "I have been following strict protocols, I have done regular testing with negative results, and I have no symptoms. I am well prepared and had an excellent training camp. I look forward to the rescheduling of the fight and the opportunity to display my world class skills."

[JamesPhilips]

Is it true that Vlasov had covid? If so when?

In early February apparently. He claims not to have had symptoms, so it might or might not have an impact (unlike Povetkin, who was hospitalised twice).

https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/ ... e-smith-jr

Maxim Vlasov tests positive for COVID-19, postponing light heavyweight title fight vs. Joe Smith Jr.

Feb 11, 2021

Brett Okamoto
ESPN Staff Writer
...
"I am devastated with the postponement of my world title fight against Joe Smith Jr.," Vlasov said in a statement. "I have been following strict protocols, I have done regular testing with negative results, and I have no symptoms. I am well prepared and had an excellent training camp. I look forward to the rescheduling of the fight and the opportunity to display my world class skills."

OK thanks for that. Still a bit worrying. He's not going to want to miss the payday so who knows the truth.... Povetkin looked awful at the weigh in.

[Ruthless-RKO]

WATCH LIVE: Smith Jr. vs Vlasov ESPN Weigh In



Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, the Smith-Vlasov World Championship card will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes on April 10 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

[bobcatbox]

Getting really really excited about this fight. Tomorrow night is all boxing

[aicheligad]

Is it true that Vlasov had covid? If so when?

In early February apparently. He claims not to have had symptoms, so it might or might not have an impact (unlike Povetkin, who was hospitalised twice).

https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/ ... e-smith-jr

Maxim Vlasov tests positive for COVID-19, postponing light heavyweight title fight vs. Joe Smith Jr.

Feb 11, 2021

Brett Okamoto
ESPN Staff Writer
...
"I am devastated with the postponement of my world title fight against Joe Smith Jr.," Vlasov said in a statement. "I have been following strict protocols, I have done regular testing with negative results, and I have no symptoms. I am well prepared and had an excellent training camp. I look forward to the rescheduling of the fight and the opportunity to display my world class skills."

OK thanks for that. Still a bit worrying. He's not going to want to miss the payday so who knows the truth.... Povetkin looked awful at the weigh in.

C'mon, covid played no role there, Povetkin is just old and he went through lots of wars in the ring. He started to decline in 2017, since the Joshua loss he looked bad, like he could've got ko'ed in every second in every fight, he can't take a punch anymore, that's just it. He's been an Olympic champion 17 years ago, he's had a long career, it's time to retire.

[aicheligad]

Smith is a slight favourite but Vlasov surely is a live dog there. Good fight.

[margaret thatcher]

pov was hospitalized twice and was reported to be in a bad way with the vid, to say covid had no role.....im not convinced my man

but of course, being at his point, he was gradually progressing down anyway, but multiple hospitalizations with illnesses will speed that process up


smith should be a comfy favourite vs vlasov, who always loses to opponents at this level. he's too negative when faced with good opponents , whereas smith really goes for it and has been on a roll lately, hardly losing a round vs alvarez or heart. i think smith will outwork him for the win

[Ruthless-RKO]

Main Event

Smith (26-3, 21 KOs) weighed in at 174.8 lbs.

Vlasov (45-3, 26 KOs) came in at 175 lbs.

Other weights on Saturday night’s card

Efe Ajagba 239.6 lbs vs. Brian Howard 218 lbs

Jared Anderson 251.8 lbs vs. Jeremiah Karpency 226.6 lbs

Albert Bell 132.2 lbs vs. Manuel Rey Rojas 132

Robson Conceição 128.4 lbs vs. Jesus Antonio Ahumada 129

Trey Lippe Morrison 225.8 lbs vs. Jason Bergman 256

Duke Ragan 125.8 lbs vs. Charles Clark 126.6

Jeremiah Milton 231.8 lbs vs. Jayvone Dafney 222.6

Sonny Conto 230.4 lbs vs. Waldo Cortes 262

[watsupdoc87]

Looking forward to this. Go on the Irish bomber. Hopefully I can stay awake. Any idea when Smith jr fight will be ruthless??

[Ruthless-RKO]

Date: Saturday, April 10, 2021
Start Time: 10pm ET (Main) | 5:30pm ET (Undercard) | 3am UK (Main)
Main Card Local Start Time: 9pm CT (Oklahoma)
Location: Osage Casino - Tulsa, Oklahoma
TV US: ESPN (Main) | TV: Bo/\Nation (UK)
Streaming: ESPN+

Main Card (ESPN and ESPN+, 10:00 pm ET)

Vacant WBO Light Heavyweight Championship
Joe Smith Jr (26-3, 21 KOs) vs. Maxim Vlasov (45-3, 26 KOs)

10 Round Heavyweight Bout
Efe Ajagba (14-0, 11 KOs) vs. Brian Howard (15-4, 12 KOs)

8 Round Heavyweight Bout
Jared Anderson (8-0, 8 KOs) vs. Jeremiah Karpency (16-2-1, 6 KOs)

Undercard (ESPN+, 5:30 pm ET)

8 Round Junior Lightweight Bout
Robson Conceicao (15-0, 7 KOs) vs Jesus Antonio Ahumada (17-3, 11 KOs)

8 Round Junior Lightweight Bout
Albert Bell (17-0, 5 KOs) vs. Manuel Rey Rojas (20-4, 6 KOs)

4 Round Heavyweight Bout
Sonny Conto (6-0, 5 KOs) vs. Waldo Cortes (6-3, 3 KOs)

6 Round Featherweight Bout
Duke Ragan (3-0, 1 KO) vs. Charles Clark (3-6-1, 1 KO)

6 Round Heavyweight Bout
Jeremiah Milton (2-0, 2 KOs) vs. Jayvone Dafney (2-2, 2 KOs)