The Boxing Truth®

  A new feature for 2022 here on The Boxing Truth®, which this observer hopes will become a semi-regular addition amongst the variety of content offered to readers where yours truly will attempt as best as he can to cover several topics in a condensed manner that may or may not be worthy of a standalone feature column.   As some Boxing fans know, the month of January has been a relatively slow one for the sport of Boxing. This is due in part to several scheduled international Boxing cards being cancelled and/or rescheduled due to the ongoing global COVID-19 epidemic and travel restrictions internationally as several countries look to limit exposure to the COVID-19 virus.  There was however, one notable bout that took place on January 15 th in Verona, NY. I am referring to WBO Light-Heavyweight world champion Joe Smith Jr., who defended his title against late substitute Steve Geffrard. Much like several other bouts to have taken place over the last two years throughout th...

 The official weigh-in for Saturday’s WBO World Light-Heavyweight championship fight between champion Joe Smith Jr. and Steve Geffrard took place earlier today in Verona, NY. Geffrard steps into what will be his first attempt at a world championship on more than a week’s notice following original opponent Callum Johnson being forced to withdraw from challenging Smith due to contracting the COVID-19 virus. Weights for the entire card, which can be seen here in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+ is as follows.   Main Event: WBO Light-Heavyweight world championship – 12Rds.   Joe Smith Jr. (Champion) 174 1/2lbs. vs. Steve Geffrard (Challenger) 173 1/2lbs.   Featherweight – 10Rds.   Abraham Nova 126 3/4lbs. vs. William Encarnacion 127lbs.   Jr. Welterweight – 6Rds.   Omar Rosario 139 1/2lbs. vs. Raekwon Butler 138 1/2lbs.   Middleweight – 6Rds.   Troy Isley 156 1/2lbs. vs. Har...

The battle for the vacant WBO Light-Heavyweight world championship between top contenders Joe Smith Jr. and Maxim Vlasov was one that like many saw complications and subsequent delays due to the ongoing global COVID-19 epidemic. In this case, there was a delay of eight weeks from the original date of February 14 th  in Las Vegas and the rescheduled date of April 14 th  in Tulsa, OK.   Beyond the obvious question that follows a fight that has been delayed under the circumstances of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis of how will the delay impact the fighters involved, the delay also allowed the fight to be moved from the closed confines of the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas to the Osage Casino in Tulsa where a crowd of around five-hundred spectators following COVID-19 protocols, which included temperature checks, as well as a mandate of wearing face masks were allowed to attend.    The limited number of spectators were treated to one of the best fights in what ...

  In uncertain times as we all are experiencing due to the ongoing global COVID-19 epidemic, there are circumstances which unfortunately get in the way of scheduled plans. Such was the case in February when the battle for the vacant WBO Light-Heavyweight world championship between top Light-Heavyweight contenders Joe Smith Jr. and Maxim Vlasov was postponed days before it was to take place due to  Vlasov testing positive for the COVID-19 virus.  Now, two months later, the bout has been rescheduled. For the first time here at The Boxing Truth®️ due to the unique circumstances of the initial postponement, we will provide readers with a re-release of the preview that was released back in February prior to the postponement as written by Beau Denison. Aspects of the preview such as the change in venue as well as legal broadcast information have been updated to provide the reader with the most accurate information as possible. The preview will begin below.   Much of the la...