Tag: Joe Smith Maxim Vlasov

Joe Smith Jr., typically an underdog in his biggest fights, is the favorite in this one.

The light heavyweight contender is about a 3-1 favorite to beat Maxim Vlasov in their fight for the vacant WBO 175-pound title tonight (Saturday) in Tulsa, Okla.

Smith is -350, meaning you’d have to bet $350 to make $100. Vlasov is +275. A bet of $100 wins $275.

Smith is about 50-50 to win inside the distance. The Long Islander (N.Y.) is -110 to win by knockout, technical knockout, technical decision or disqualification. Vlasov is +700 to win inside the scheduled 12 rounds.

Here are other odds:

• Smith by decision: +225
• Draw: +2000
• Vlasov by decision: +550

The card, which will be available on ESPN and ESPN+, is scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. The main event will take place later in the show.

Smith and Vlasov weighed in Friday at 174.8 and 175 pounds, respectively.

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JOE SMITH JR.  VS. MAXIM VLASOV 

Joe Smith Jr. (26-3, 21 KOs) and Maxim Vlasov (45-3, 26 KOS) will fight for the vacant WBO light heavyweight title on Saturday night.

• Date: Saturday, Feb. 13
• Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
• Where: MGM Grand, Las Vegas
• TV/Stream: ESPN
• Division: Light heavyweight (175 pounds)
• At stake: Vacant WBO title
• Pound-for-pound ranking: None
• Odds: Smith 3-1 favorite
• Also on the card: Richard Commey vs. Jackson Marinez, 10 rounds, lightweights; Adam Lopez vs. Jason Sanchez, 10 rounds, featherweights
• Prediction: Smith KO 9
• Background: Smith will be fighting for a major title for the second time, after losing a wide decision to Dmitry Bivol in March 2019. The hard puncher from Long Island, N.Y., bounced back from that disappointment to record two impressive victories, a split decision over Jesse Hart in January of last year and a ninth-round knockout of Eleider Alvarez the following August that earned him a shot at the belt. Smith, 31, burst onto the scene by stopping Andrzej Fonfara and Bernard Hopkins in consecutive fights in 2016. Vlasov, a 34-year-old Russian, will be fighting for a world title for the first time. He has seen action 13 times in the U.S. but has lost his biggest fights here, decisions against Issac Chilemba, Gilberto Ramirez and Krzysztof Glowacki. Vlasov has won three consecutive fights since the Glowacki setback, including a wide decision over Chilemba in their rematch. He last fought in November 2019, a shutout decision over Emmanuel Martey. Vlasov has never been stopped.

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