Joe Smith Jr made a successful first defence of his WBO light heavyweight world title, as he stopped late replacement Steve Geffrard in the ninth round of a one-sided affair at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York on Saturday night.
Smith Jr (28-3, 22 KOs) won the vacant belt in his most recent outing, an April 2021 majority decision win over Maxim Vlasov in Tulsa, while Geffrard (18-3, 12 KOs) came in to this one on just eight days’ notice, with the champion’s original opponent, Callum Johnson, ruled out due to contracting COVID-19.
Smith Jr wasn’t expected to have too many problems in his maiden defence, and this proved to be the case, as he went on the offensive from the off, with Geffrard keeping a high guard that limited his attacking options.
The 32-year-old dished out some serious punishment, but didn’t really make a telling breakthrough until round five, where he hurt his foe, who complained to his corner about a shoulder injury.
With ‘The Beast’ continuing to have things all his own way, the fight was destined not to reach the final bell, and the Long Island native duly put the finishing touches on victory in the ninth.
With Geffrard trapped in the corner, Smith Jr unloaded with a two-fisted assault that went unanswered, and the underdog finally dropped to his knees.
The referee counted the challenger out, but trainer Kevin Cunningham was already poised to remove his man from battle in any case.
Defense No. 1 complete.
Joe Smith Jr. is officially #AndStill 🏆 pic.twitter.com/DNtO2aNTmK
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) January 16, 2022
“He really brought it today, it was a great fight,” Smith Jr said to ESPN after his win.
“He’s a good survivor. I was trying to get him out of there early, but I realised he was very tough, and I wasn’t going to be able to do that.”
Smith Jr added he would be open to unifications with unified WBC and IBF titlist, Artur Beterbiev as well as a rematch against WBA ‘super’ champion, Dmitry Bivol who defeated him in 2019.
‘The Beast’ also opened the door to a showdown with four-weight world champion and pound-for-pound king, Canelo Alvarez.
“If Canelo wants to come to 175 and fight me I’m ready for him, man.
“That’s the fight I want. Everybody would love to see that fight. It would be a big deal.”
Nova halts Encarnacion
Elsewhere, Abraham Nova overcame an early wobble to stop William Encarnacion (19-2, 15 KOs) in the eighth round of their scheduled ten rounder at super featherweight.
After being shaken by a right hand in the opener, Nova (21-0, 15 KOs) dominated the fight, and eventually ground his man down for the stoppage win, as he recorded his 21st straight win as a professional.
Remaining Undercard
At cruiserweight, Lyubomyr Pinchuk (14-2-1, 8 KOs) took an eight round decision win against Jose Mario Flores (8-3-2, 4 KOs), and Omar Rosario (6-0, 2 KOs) remained unbeaten with a six round points win over Raekwon Butler (4-2, 2 KOs) at super lightweight.
ALL GAS. NO BREAKS.@WJahiTucker gets it done in two 💥 #SmithGeffrard pic.twitter.com/5AxEaoaBng
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) January 16, 2022
Welterweight prospect, Jahi Tucker (6-0, 4 KOs) dropped Akeem Black (6-5, 2 KOs) in the first round, and then finished the job in round two as he recorded a sixth straight win.
Troy Isley (4-0, 2 KOs) made it four wins from four as a professional, taking a six round win on the scorecards against Harry Keenan Cruz Cabano (6-3, 2 KOs) at middleweight.
