Joe Smith Jr.: record, next fight and profile →
If Artur Beterbiev truly wants to fight Joe Smith Jr. next, he had better act fast. That’s the message Joe DeGuardia, Smith’s co-promoter, delivered after Smith stopped Steve Geffrard early in the ninth round Saturday night at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona
Joe DeGuardia isn’t convinced that the WBO will make Joe Smith Jr. fight Anthony Yarde next. DeGuardia, Smith’s co-promoter, informed BoxingScene.com that the WBO hasn’t determined if England’s Yarde is the mandatory challenger for Smith’s light heavyweight title. Smith made an optional defense of his WBO belt Saturday night, when he stopped Steve Geffrard in the ninth round at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.
Boxing is off to a slow start in 2022 with the schedule not set to pick up steam for a couple weeks. For the fighters who compete in the meantime, it’s an opportunity to fill a void and make statements.
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The Steve Geffrard story was something out of a Hollywood script. The South Florida native accepted a shot at the title on eight days' notice, but he didn't author the shocking upset. WBO light heavyweight world champion Joe Smith Jr. made the first successful defense of his crown, knocking out Geffrard in the ninth round Saturday at Turning Stone Resort Casino.
Verona, New York - On Saturday night, WBO light heavyweight champion Joe Smith (28-3, 23 KOs) made the first defense of his title with a ninth round stoppage of Steve Geffrard (16-3, 12 KOs).
By Keith Idec - It took Joe Smith Jr. a little longer than odds indicated it would, but the heavily favored champion eventually exposed huge underdog Steve Geffrard on Saturday night. Smith stopped Geffrard early in the ninth round of a scheduled 12-round, 175-pound championship match
Joe Smith, Geffrard Scorecards BoxingScene Live - Steve Geffrard wasn't supposed to be here. Last Friday, he was preparing to weigh in for a fight in Delray Beach, Florida, when he received a call. WBO light heavyweight champion Joe Smith Jr. needed an opponent after British puncher Callum Johnson contracted COVID-19. (photos by Mikey Williams)
Steve Geffrard realized just how tough Joe Smith Jr. is when he sat ringside for Smith’s loss to Sullivan Barrera in July 2017. Geffrard was Barrera’s sparring partner for that fight and traveled to The Forum in Inglewood, California, to support his friend. Barrera broke Smith’s jaw early in the second round that night, yet Smith still made it to the final bell in a bout he lost by unanimous decision.
Joe Smith Jr. had never even heard the name Steve Geffrard before Geffrard was proposed a week ago as Callum Johnson’s replacement. England’s Johnson (20-1, 14 KOs) contracted COVID-19 and