Tag: Joe Smith

Maxim Vlasov: ‘I probably will surprise a lot of people’

Maxim Vlasov said going into his title fight against Joe Smith Jr.: “I probably will surprise a lot of people.”

Maxim Vlasov has taken an interesting path to his title fight with Joe Smith Jr. on Saturday.

The Russian, who faces Smith for the vacant WBO light heavyweight title Saturday in Tulsa, Okla. (ESPN, ESPN+), was a cruiserweight four fights ago. That’s when he lost a wide decision to Krzysztof Glowacki in the World Boxing Super Series.

After that, he shed weight and moved down to the division in which he started his career. Three consecutive victories followed, which set up a November fight with countryman Umar Salamov for the right to fight for the vacant WBO title.

Then things got complicated. The fight was postponed – and then canceled – after Salamov tested positive for COVID-19. That allowed Vlasov to move directly into a Feb. 13 meeting with Smith for belt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08UPJJ2fRC8

Then it was Vlasov’s turn to test positive for the coronavirus, which put the title fight on hold. He had to stay in Las Vegas for 10 days to recover from a mild case of the virus, return to Russia and then come back to the United States for a restart.

Finally, he and Smith are set to do battle at Osage Casino in Tulsa, Okla.

“I was very excited about this fight,” Vlasov said through a translator, referring to the original date with Smith. “I was so shocked, so overwhelmed that it was canceled. I was in excellent shape. I was very much ready. … This time is harder. We’ve had less time to prepare.

“But we’ve made progress with everything that I need to do to win this fight.”

Vlasov (45-3, 26 KOs) has been out of the ring since November 2019, when he defeated previously unbeaten Emmanuel Martey to move into the title picture. That means he will have been away for 17 months.

That might be one reason Vlasov is about a 3-1 underdog against Smith, that and the fact that the Long Islander’s (N.Y.) resume is much stronger than his.

Smith’s victories over Jesse Hart and then Eleider Alvarez in 2020 alone are more impressive than anything Vlasov has done in the ring in his career, which includes losses to Isaac Chilemba (which he avenged), Gilberto Ramirez (at 175) and Glowacki (at 200).

Vlasov knows that most people are picking Smith (26-3, 21 KOs) to win, especially those in the United States. He’s planning something special for them.

“I understand, in the U.S., not everybody believes I’m going to win,” he said. “… I will do my best to surprise everybody. And I probably will surprise a lot of people, maybe even upset some people.

“Anyway, I will show my best skills. This is a very serious, great opportunity for me to fight for a championship. And I will do my best.”

Joe Smith Jr. vs. Maxim Vlasov: date, time, how to watch, background

Joe Smith Jr. vs. Maxim Vlasov: date, time, how to watch, background.

Joe Smith Jr. takes on Maxim Vlasov for a vacant light heavyweight title in tulsa, okla.

***

JOE SMITH JR. (26–3, 21 KOs) VS.
MAXIM VLASOV (45-3, 26 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bN1AIxEJKG4

  • Date: Saturday, April 10
  • Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Osage Casino, Tulsa, Okla.
  • TV/Stream: ESPN, ESPN+
  • Cost (ESPN+): $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year
  • Division: Light heavyweight (175 pounds)
  • At stake: Vacant WBO title
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Smith 2½-1 favorite
  • Also on the card: Efe Ajagba vs. Brian Howard, heavyweights; Albert Bell vs. Manuel Rey Rojas, lightweights; Jared Anderson vs. Jeremiah Karpency, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Smith KO 10
  • Background: Smith made a name for himself in 2016, when he knocked out Andrzej Fonfara in one round and then ended the Hall of Fame career of Bernard Hopkins by an eighth-round stoppage that ended with Hopkins crashing through the ropes onto the floor. Then the hard-punching Long Islander (N.Y.) ran into trouble, losing decisions to Sullivan Barrera and Dmitry Bivol (for a title) between 2017 and 2019 that raised questions about his future as an elite fighter. The 31-year-old responded by outpointing Jesse Hart and then stopping Eleider Alvarez in nine rounds last year to reestablish himself as a force at 175 pounds. The Alvarez fight took place last August. Vlasov, 34, is a good, experienced boxer puncher from Russia. He has won three consecutive fights since he was outpointed by Krzysztof Glowacki in 2018, including a shutout decision over previously unbeaten Emmanuel Martey in November 2019. That was his most-recent fight, meaning he will have been out of the ring for about a year and a half. The winner on Saturday could be in line to face two-belt champion Artur Beterbiev.

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Joe Smith Jr. vs. Maxim Vlasov: date, time, how to watch, background

Joe Smith Jr. vs. Maxim Vlasov: date, time, how to watch, background.

Joe Smith Jr. takes on Maxim Vlasov for a vacant light heavyweight title in tulsa, okla.

***

JOE SMITH JR. (26–3, 21 KOs) VS.
MAXIM VLASOV (45-3, 26 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bN1AIxEJKG4

  • Date: Saturday, April 10
  • Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Osage Casino, Tulsa, Okla.
  • TV/Stream: ESPN, ESPN+
  • Cost (ESPN+): $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year
  • Division: Light heavyweight (175 pounds)
  • At stake: Vacant WBO title
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Smith 2½-1 favorite
  • Also on the card: Efe Ajagba vs. Brian Howard, heavyweights; Albert Bell vs. Manuel Rey Rojas, lightweights; Jared Anderson vs. Jeremiah Karpency, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Smith KO 10
  • Background: Smith made a name for himself in 2016, when he knocked out Andrzej Fonfara in one round and then ended the Hall of Fame career of Bernard Hopkins by an eighth-round stoppage that ended with Hopkins crashing through the ropes onto the floor. Then the hard-punching Long Islander (N.Y.) ran into trouble, losing decisions to Sullivan Barrera and Dmitry Bivol (for a title) between 2017 and 2019 that raised questions about his future as an elite fighter. The 31-year-old responded by outpointing Jesse Hart and then stopping Eleider Alvarez in nine rounds last year to reestablish himself as a force at 175 pounds. The Alvarez fight took place last August. Vlasov, 34, is a good, experienced boxer puncher from Russia. He has won three consecutive fights since he was outpointed by Krzysztof Glowacki in 2018, including a shutout decision over previously unbeaten Emmanuel Martey in November 2019. That was his most-recent fight, meaning he will have been out of the ring for about a year and a half. The winner on Saturday could be in line to face two-belt champion Artur Beterbiev.

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Draft Rewind: Warriors select Maryland’s Joe Smith with first overall pick in 1995

With the first overall selection in the 1995 NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors landed forward Joe Smith out of the University of Maryland.

As the Golden State Warriors sit on the outside of the Orlando Bubble, Bob Myers and Steve Kerr will have a jumpstart preparing for the NBA Draft.

For the first time since 2002, the Warriors will have the opportunity to make a selection in the top-five picks. While it’s still a mystery on whom Golden State could add alongside Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, the Warriors will have a better idea of whom they can select after August’s NBA Lottery.

With months on the calendar until October’s draft, Warriors Wire is rewinding through Golden State’s draft history to highlight the most memorable selections — trades, surprises, busts, sleepers and everything in between.

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In 1995, the Golden State Warriors were the owners of the top overall selection.

June 28, 1995

After the offseason trade of Chris Webber and the early season resignation of Don Nelson, the 1994-95 Warriors struggled. Despite Latrell Sprewell’s All-Star game nod, The Warriors finished with a 26-56 record. With new head coach Rick Adelman in place, Golden State landed the first overall selection in the lottery.

To open the 1995 NBA Draft, the Warriors selected forward Joe Smith out of the University of Maryland. In his sophomore year with the Terrapins, Smith filled the boxscore, averaging 20.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.0 blocks, 1.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game.

In 1995, Smith earned ACC Player of the Year, Naismith College Player of the Year and AP Player of the Year honors. However, Smith’s Terrapins were eliminated in the Sweet 16 of the 1995 NCAA Tournament.

In 82 starts as a rookie, Smith tallied 15.3 points, 8,7 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, one assist and one steal in 34.4 minutes per game. The 20-year-old finished third in Rookie of the Year voting and was named to the All-NBA Rookie First Team.

The 6-foot-10 forward doubled-down during his sophomore season, averaging a career-high 18.7 points per game in 1996-97. Despite a pair of impressive seasons, Smith was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers during the 1997-1998 season for Clarence Weatherspoon and Jim Jackson.

Over his 16-year-career, Smith wasn’t able to match his production from his first two seasons in Golden State. The 1995 first overall pick bounced around to 12 different teams in his career.

Other notable prospects from the 1995 NBA Draft class included Kevin Garnett, Alabama’s Antonio McDyess, North Carolina’s Jerry Stackhouse and Rasheed Wallace.

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Eleider Alvarez-Michael Seals winner could face Joe Smith Jr. for vacant title

The winner of the Eleider Alvarez and Michael Seals winner could face Joe Smith Jr. for vacant title.

The winner of the Eleider Alvarez-Michael Seals light heavyweight bout on Saturday could fight for title as early as his next fight.

Alvarez’s co-promoter, Yvon Michel of GYM, said in a recent interview that his charge could face Long Islander Joe Smith Jr., who is coming off a split decision win over Jesse Hart, for the vacant WBO 175-pound title. Of course, Alvarez must first beat hard hitting Michael Seals at Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, New York. Alvarez is also promoted by Top Rank.

“With a convincing win over Seals, Eleider can reclaim his world title in his next bout,” Michel told Radio-Canada. “It’s understood that we can challenge the American Joe Smith for the vacant WBO light heavyweight title.”

Alvarez, a Columbian who lives and trains in Montreal, has a bit of history with the WBO strap.

The WBO belt was vacated by Canelo Alvarez after he wrested it from Sergey Kovalev in November by 11th-round knockout. It was the same belt that Alvarez (24-1, 12 KOs) had won in 2018, when he knocked out Kovalev in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Alvarez lost the belt several months later in the rematch, which Kovalev won by a relatively comfortable decision.

Michel has no illusions about Saturday’s bout. A loss to Seals (24-2, 18 KOs) would be a major step back for Alvarez.

“I’m very confident in Eleider’s skills and his team,” Michel said. “That doesn’t worry me at all. This fight is a turning point in his career. If he loses to Seals, he’ll join the rest of the contenders. Climbing back up to world-class status will be relatively difficult.”

Top Rank/ESPN will have showcased consequential light heavyweight bouts on back-to-back weekends. On Jan. 11, Smith defeated Jesse Hart by a split decision that all but one judge saw as a clear victory. Top Rank has a deep talent pool at 175. The company also handles light heavyweight titleholder Artur Beterbiev and former titleholder Oleksandr Gvozdyk, as well as former super middleweight titleholder Gilberto Ramirez.

Joe Smith says fight with Jesse Hart personal for him too

Joe Smith and Jesse Hart are set to meet in an important light heavyweight bout for both fighters Saturday in Atlantic City.

Joe Smith, laborer by day and prize fighter when possible, sells himself as the common man. But there’s nothing common about how Jesse Hart sees him. Smith has become a cause, a rallying cry for Hart to avenge a loss suffered by a man who has always been his mentor.

Hart remembers the night when Smith knocked Bernard Hopkins out of the ring more than three years ago in Los Angeles. Smith made Hopkins look like an old man, which of course he was. Hopkins was 51. Yet the memory still haunts Hart, who intends to exorcise it in a light heavyweight fight Saturday night in Atlantic City on ESPN.

Hart says the fight isn’t about money, or a possible shot at a major belt, or any of the other usual motivations. It’s strictly personal, he says. It’s about family, he says. It also about north Philadelphia, Hopkin’s home.

Smith (24-3, 20 KOs) hears Hart (26-2, 21 KOs) and tries to understand. But he is also quick to remind Hart that every fight is personal. Your nose gets broken. Your blood is spilled. That’s about as personal as it gets.

“It’s always personal with me as well,’’ Smith said this week in a conference call. “Personal for me, and I’m also fighting for my family and other things.’’

Smith goes into the fight without any evident trepidation about facing a hyper-motivated Hart. An overly-emotional Hart might walk right into the same power that knocked Hopkins through the ropes and onto the floor in an eighth-round stoppage Dec. 17, 2016 at the Forum.

For Smith, the motivation is business-like. Hart represents an opportunity for him to get beyond a unanimous decision loss to Dmitry Bivol on March 9. He also lost to Sullivan Barrera on July 15, 2017 in his first fight after the Hopkins’ stunner.

“Yeah, I have to get past Jesse Hart on Saturday night,’’ Smith said.  “You know, I’m hoping to stay busy this year. I want to fight a few times. I want to make 2020 my year. I’m really looking forward to it.’’

Hart, a former super middleweight fighting at light heavy for only the second time, has other ideas. He hopes that he can make Smith regret it.

“I want to take Joe to that Ali-Frazier III type of knock-down, drag-out fight,’’ Hart said during the conference call. “Where Ali said it was the closest he was to death. I want to see if he quits then. That’s how far I want to push Joe. I want to stay in there, and I want to see where it’s at. I wanna see if he’s going to quit then with me.

“I know what I’m looking to do. I know I’m not looking to quit that night under no circumstances.’’