Smith Jr. vs. Geffrard

16 January 2022

Smith Jr. vs. Geffrard undercard results from Verona, New York

Boxen247.com Boxing Results Akeem Black, Harry Keenan Cruz Cubano, Jahi Tucker, JOSE MARIO FLORES, Lyubomyr Pinchuk, Omar Rosario, Raekwon Butler, Smith Jr. vs. Geffrard, Troy Isley 0

Smith Jr. vs. Geffrard undercard results from Verona, New York | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)

Sixto Suazo faces Rance Ward for UBO regional title in Atlanta on Dec. 19 | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)

Junior Welterweight: Puerto Rican prospect Omar Rosario (6-0, 2 KOs) learned another lesson in his young career, as he nearly finished off Brooklyn’s Raekwon Butler (4-2, 2 KOs) in the opening round before being forced the six-round distance and winning a unanimous decision (59-54 2x and 58-55). Rosario out-landed Butler 111-49.
Welterweight: Jahi Tucker (6-0, 4 KOs) is fighting beyond his years. The 18-year-old knocked down Akeem Black (6-5, 2 KOs) with an uppercut in the opening round and then finished things off with a flurry in the second. Tucker became only the second man to knock out Black and landed 47 out of 98 punches thrown.
Middleweight: U.S. Olympian Troy “Transformer” Isley (4-0, 2 KOs) threw everything, including the kitchen sink, but Harry Keenan Cruz-Cubano (6-3, 2 KOs) withstood a hellacious beating to survive the six-round distance. Isley tagged Cruz-Cubano with uppercuts in the early rounds and cruised to a decision by scores of 59-53 and 59-54 2x.
Cruiserweight: Lyubomyr Pinchuk (14-2-1, 8 KOs) lumbered to an eight-round unanimous decision over Jose Mario Flores (8-3-2, 4 KOs) by scores of 80-72 and 79-73 2x.

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16 January 2022

Joe Smith Jr. defeats Steve Geffrard, retains WBO light heavyweight title

Boxen247.com Boxing Results Joe Smith Jr, Smith Jr. vs. Geffrard, Steve Geffrard 0

Joe Smith Jr. defeats Steve Geffrard, retains WBO light heavyweight title | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)

Joe Smith Jr. vs. Steve Geffrard Result

Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, USA – 15 January 2022

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.

Smith (28-3, 22 KOs) was never threatened, as his activity (665 punches thrown) forced Geffrard (18-3, 12 KOs) on the back foot. Geffrard had minor pockets of success in the opening round, but it soon turned into a one-sided exhibition for the Long Island native. He stunned Geffrard with right hands in the fifth and turned up the heat in the ninth. With Geffrard pinned against his corner, Smith unloaded with a combination, and Geffrard went to a knee. Before referee Mark Nelson could finish the 10-count, trainer Kevin Cunningham threw in the towel to end the one-way traffic.

Smith has his sights set on the other division kingpin, IBF/WBC champion Artur Beterbiev. Or perhaps a date with Canelo Alvarez if the pound-for-pound king elects to move up from super middleweight.

Smith said, “He really brought it today. It was a great fight. As you can see, he’s a great boxer, a good survivor. I was trying to get him out of there early, but I realized he was very tough and I wasn’t going to be able to do that. I tried to wait until the later rounds and started throwing more combinations to pick him apart.

“{Beterbiev} is what I want. I want to get back in the gym, work on my craft, and like I say each and every time I get in the ring, I’m going to get better and better. I believe the next time you see me, I’ll be ready for anybody.

“If Canelo wants to come to 175 and fight me, I’m ready for him. That’s the fight I want. Everybody would love to see that fight. It would be a big deal.”

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15 January 2022

Joe Smith Jr. & Steve Geffrard weigh-in ahead of WBO world title bout

Boxen247.com Fight Weights Abraham Nova, Akeem Black, Harry Keenan Cruz Cubano, Jahi Tucker, Joe Smith Jr, JOSE MARIO FLORES, Lyubomyr Pinchuk, Omar Rosario, Raekwon Butler, Smith Jr. vs. Geffrard, Steve Geffrard, Troy Isley, William Encarnacion 0

Joe Smith Jr. & Steve Geffrard weigh-in ahead of WBO world title bout | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)

Joe Smith Jr. vs. Steve Geffrard Weights

Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, USA – 15 January 2022

• Joe Smith Jr. 174.25 lbs vs. Steve Geffrard 173.5 lbs
(Smith’s WBO Light Heavyweight Title — 12 Rounds)

• Abraham Nova 126.75 lbs vs. William Encarnacion 127 lbs
(Featherweight — 10 Rounds)

(ESPN+, 7:45 p.m. ET/4:45 p.m. PT)

• Omar Rosario 139.25 lbs vs. Raekwon Butler 138.25 lbs
(Junior Welterweight — 6 Rounds)

• Jahi Tucker 146.75 lbs vs. Akeem Black 145.75 lbs
(Welterweight — 6 Rounds)

• Troy Isley 156.25 lbs vs. Harry Keenan Cruz-Cubano 156.25 lbs
(Middleweight — 6 Rounds)
• Lyubomyr Pinchuk 194.5 lbs vs. Jose Mario Flores 197.5 lbs
(Cruiserweight — 8 Rounds)

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13 January 2022

Joe Smith Jr. vs. Steve Geffrard – final press conference

Boxen247.com Boxing News Abraham Nova, Joe Smith Jr, Smith Jr. vs. Geffrard, Steve Geffrard, William Encarnacion 0

Joe Smith Jr. vs. Steve Geffrard - final press conference | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)

Joe Smith Jr. vs. Steve Geffrard

Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, USA – 15 January 2022

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.

Geffrard answered the call and will fight Smith this Saturday evening at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y. (ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+, 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT).

Geffrard (18-2, 12 KOs), a South Florida native and former U.S. amateur standout, was 0-2 before rattling off 18 consecutive victories. Smith (27-3, 21 KOs) defeated Maxim Vlasov last April and will finally defend his title after a COVID-19 diagnosis delayed his return.

In the 10-round co-feature, featherweight contender Abraham Nova (20-0, 14 KOs) will look to extend his unbeaten record against 2012 Dominican Olympian William Encarnacion (19-1, 15 KOs).

The undercard will stream live on ESPN+ (7:45 p.m. ET/4:45 p.m. PT) and includes rising Puerto Rican star Omar Rosario (5-0, 2 KOs), 18-year-old welterweight Jahi Tucker (5-0, 3 KOs), and recent U.S. Olympian Troy Isley (3-0, 2 KOs) in separate bouts.

At Thursday’s press conference, this is what the fighters had to say:

Joe Smith Jr:

“I can’t wait to be on ESPN this Saturday defending my world title in front of the whole world. I’m extremely happy to be here. There were a couple of moments where I thought I wasn’t going to be here. I can’t wait! Thanks to everyone that made this happen.”

“Since I became a world champion, the only thing that has really changed for me is that I’m holding this title, and I want to keep it that way.”

“Geffrard has been inside the ring training with the best. I’m sure he is going to give it his all and will try to take full advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Steve Geffrard:

“When those belts are on the line, that mental switch turns on. I know that mentally and skill-wise I can battle with the best. I have sparred with, and handled myself very well, against the best of the division.”

“I’m a fighter, especially with an opportunity like this. I’m going to rise to the occasion. I’ll show the world who Steve Geffrard is.”

“I was in the sauna when I got the call for this fight. I was looking forward to Smith vs. Johnson, but now I’m the one fighting for the title. It’s surreal.”

Abraham Nova:

“I’m excited because I’ll be fighting very close to my hometown (Albany). You guys are going to see an action-packed fighter. I’m ready to put on a great performance. I’m looking for a big win on Saturday night.”

“I want to shine and make a statement this Saturday. I want to send a message to the featherweight division. By the end of this year, I want to be fighting for a world title. I would love to challenge Emanuel ‘Vaquero’ Navarrete for his title.”

“For two months straight, we had a game plan for an opponent, and at the last minute, we had a change of opponent. What I have seen from my new opponent is that he is a very good fighter. He has the skills and a high ring IQ. He is an Olympian. It doesn’t matter. We have one goal, and that is to win by all means necessary.”

William Encarnacion:

“I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. I am thrilled about this opportunity.”

“It has been a good preparation. I didn’t even have a fight date when they called me for this opportunity, but I always keep training in the gym. I’m ready to go this Saturday.”

Undercard Bouts:

Omar Rosario vs. Raekwon Butler, 6 rounds, junior welterweight
Jahi Tucker vs. Akeem Black, 6 rounds, welterweight
Troy Isley vs. Harry Keenan Cruz Cubano, 6 rounds, middleweight
Lyubomyr Pinchuk vs. Jose Mario Flores, 8 rounds, heavyweight

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13 January 2022

Joe Smith Jr defends WBO World Title against Steve Geffrard on Saturday

Boxen247.com Boxing News Abraham Nova, Joe Smith Jr, Jose Enrique Vivas, Smith Jr. vs. Geffrard, Steve Geffrard, WBO, William Encarnacion 0

Joe Smith Jr defends WBO World Title against Steve Geffrard on Saturday | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)

Joe Smith Jr. vs. Steve Geffrard

Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, USA – 15 January 2022

WBO light heavyweight world champion Joe Smith Jr. will make his first title defense against an unlikely contender. British puncher Callum Johnson tested positive for COVID-19, so Smith will now face Steve Geffrard on Saturday, Jan. 15 at Turning Stone Resort Casino and LIVE on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Fans outside the US can watch he fight live on FITE TV.

In the 10-round co-feature, featherweight contender Abraham Nova (20-0, 14 KOs), who was originally slated to fight Jose Enrique Vivas, will fight Dominican veteran William “El Gago” Encarnacion (19-1, 15 KOs) after Vivas dropped out with an injury.

“I give Steve credit for taking this fight on short notice,” Smith said. “He is a tough guy, and I expect him to bring everything he has for this opportunity. I’m ready to fight regardless of who is in the ring with me. My goal is the same, which is to defend my world title and keep it on Long Island where it belongs.”

Geffrard said, “This is the opportunity of a lifetime. It’s crazy how boxing works. One moment I’m thinking about boxing on a local show, then the phone rings for a chance to fight for the WBO world title on ESPN. Unreal!”

Smith (27-3, 21 KOs), the fighting pride of Long Island, won the title last April with a majority decision over Maxim Vlasov. His proposed October return was postponed due to a COVID-19 diagnosis, and with Johnson out, he turns his attention to Geffrard (18-2, 12 KOs), a 31-year-old native of Miami, Florida.

Geffrard is a nine-year pro who has won 18 straight fights since starting his career 0-2. He upped his record to 18-2 last March, winning an eight-round unanimous decision over longtime contender Denis Grachev. Geffrard had a fight scheduled for Jan. 8 in Delray Beach, Florida, but the “South Florida Cinderella Man” jumped at the chance to fight Smith on eight days’ notice.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, tickets priced from $49 to $89 are on sale now and can be purchased at the Turning Stone Resort Box Office, charge by phone by calling 800.771.7711 or online at Ticketmaster.

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7 January 2022

Callum Johnson out, Joe Smith Jr. to defend against Steve Geffrard on Jan.15

Boxen247.com Boxing News Callum Johnson, Joe Smith Jr, Smith Jr. vs. Geffrard, Steve Geffrard 0

Callum Johnson out, Joe Smith Jr. to defend against Steve Geffrard on Jan.15 | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)

Joe Smith Jr. vs. Steve Geffrard

Turning Stone Resort Casino – 15 January 2022

WBO light heavyweight world champion Joe Smith Jr will make his first title defense against an unlikely contender. British puncher Callum Johnson tested positive for COVID-19, so Smith will now face Steve Geffrard on Saturday, Jan. 15 at Turning Stone Resort Casino and LIVE on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

In the 10-round co-feature, featherweight contender Abraham Nova (20-0, 14 KOs), who was originally slated to fight Jose Enrique Vivas, will fight Dominican veteran William “El Gago” Encarnacion (19-1, 15 KOs) after Vivas dropped out with an injury.

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Smith Jr. vs. Geffrard