Joe Smith Jr v Maxim Vlasov 4/10 ESPN

[Spicoli]

Another Stateside card this weekend. This was originally set for Feb but had to be rescheduled when the Covid got a hold of Vlasov. Smith is coming off of a brutal tko over Eleider Alvarez and the vacant wbo trinket is up for grabs. A win for Smith here positions the legit big bomber perfectly for a possible all title unification at 175 with another Arum fighter, Artur Beterbiev! I'd pay for that . Vlasov looks to flip the script.

Co main has heavyweight Efe Ajagba taking on 15-4 Brian Howard. Look..I like Ajagba but I don't know what they're doing with these recycling center type match ups for him. He's only 4 yrs in and most young'ish Hvys are guilty of some padding but if ol Efe struggles too much with a guy who's been ko'd at both 190 and 175 well they might want to put Ajagba in a protective bubble. Chance to shine hear for him and up his finishing instincts.

[Spicoli]

[Spicoli]

Young heavyweight Jared Anderson on the undercard not sure when, good to see. At a career high weight . Honestly though I'm not so sure the 8-0 Anderson has many disadvantages against the more hyped co main eventer Efe Ajagba right now.

[Spicoli]

Jerimiah 'The Bullfrog' Karpency gets the honor tonight. Wouldn't blink in this one Anderson just adding the padding.

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2 body shots and Karpency takes a knee. Up at the count of 9. His highlight will be making it out of the opening round but this is all but done.

Same shot for Anderson in 2nd down he goes and takes full count. Even the ref says "he got you in the same spot huh". Time for Jared to up the comp big time.

[Spicoli]

If anything makes U.S fans searching for future heavyweights do a double take it's another guy nicknamed "Big Baby" wearing a Chefs jacket and hat in and out of the ring . Please..please..just don't give us another overhyped fatty who blows it. But I think Anderson has something going should be good to watch.

Two cards going at once haven't had that in awhile.

[Spicoli]

Hate to do it but have little hope for the Ajagba train. Into 2nd with Howard. He's just so mechanical and stiff, very little natural fluidity. Howard clipping him in these ugly mauling clinches. Guess OK has opened up for full fan compacity looks like a decent crowd.

[Spicoli]

Howard left on all fours and done after Ajagba drills him with a massive straight right hand, one and done! That's what he needed to do. Man that was an ugly KO

[Spicoli]

Consider the opponent but that was a nasty nasty ko. Howard looked like a puppet that had his strings cut. Literal collapse and o.u.t.

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Main event time. Do Americans even watch boxing anymore. This should actually be a solid fight.

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Nice 1st for Vlasov with the jazz-hands Sergio Martinez impression, feints Smith out of position once or twice. Closes strong and leaves Smith winging a left hand blindly.

[Spicoli]

Vlasov landing cleanly and Smith now cut left eye. Ohhh big right hand stops Vlasov for a moment but he's back on it. Smith is in some deep waters in just the 2nd. Vlasov leaving himself dangerously open when he throws left off the hip. Another shot catches him and stands him still at rounds end.

[Spicoli]

Ok not full fan capacity at all but hey it's a start. Ref on Smith again for back of the head. Sneaky uppercut clips Smith inside and Smith at times looks like a guy trying to catch a firefly. Round 3 Vlasov

[Spicoli]

Keep getting the '504 gateway time out' here trying to post. Pain in the arse to score. Vlasov looks in control with occasional shot from Smith but little more. Interesting to see stamina of Vlasov as it goes.

[Spicoli]

504 again ffs and missing the fight trying to re post . I switch back and suddenly Vlasov is badly hurt, his eye is fucked and bleeding from the mouth. Tide turn