Joe Smith Jr. will forever be known as the only man to score a stoppage win over Bernard Hopkins. As a result of that boxing odds defeat, Hopkins retired. For the past several years, Smith has been a top contender for the light heavyweight championship. Since his loss to Dmitry Bivol two years ago for the WBA Light Heavyweight championship, Smith has been on the comeback trail. He will face Maxim Vlasov on April 10 for the WBO World Light Heavyweight title. In like manner to Smith, Vlasov lost his only previous shot at a world championship.
WBO World Light Heavyweight Title Joe Smith Jr. vs. Maxim Vlasov
| Date and Time: | Saturday, April 10, 2021 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Osage Casino, Tulsa, Oklahoma |
| Smith vs. Vlasov TV Coverage: | ESPN |
Smith vs. Vlasov Odds at SBG:
| Boxer | Odds |
|---|---|
| Joe Smith Jr. | -333 |
| Maxim Vlasov | +240 |
Joe Smith Jr. vs. Maxim Vlasov SBG Odds Overview
On Saturday, April 10, 2021, the vacant World Boxing Organization World Light Heavyweight Title will be on the line. Accordingly, the venue is the Osage Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Joe Smith Jr. (26-3, 21 knockouts) will face Maxim Vlasov (45-3, 26 knockouts) in a fight scheduled for 12 rounds. Correlate that ESPN will televise the action.
To be exact, Joe Smith has earned the trust of gamblers with his long-term sportsbook performance. Smith is better known, adding to his price.
Joe Smith Jr. Record and Form
Joe Smith, age 31, is ranked 4th in the world. In sum, Smith has a career record of 26 wins and three losses. He has 21 knockout wins and one knockout loss for his career. Smith stands at six feet tall and fights from an orthodox stance. Further, he is a native of Long Island, New York, where he still resides.
Smith is coming off an August 22, 2020, technical knockout win over Eleider Alvarez. Previously on January 11, 2020, Smith scored a split decision win over Jesse Hart for the World Boxing Organization NABO Light Heavyweight title.
Maxim Vlasov Record and Form
Namely, Maxim Vlasov age 34, is ranked 6th in the world. His career record is 45 wins and three losses. Vlasov has 26 knockout wins for his career and has never been knocked out. Vlasov stands at six feet, 3.5 inches tall, and has a reach of 76.5 inches. And he fights from an orthodox stance. Vlasov is a native of Samara, Russia, where he still resides.
Last time out for Vlasov was on November 30, 2019, against Emmanuel Martey. Vlasov scored a ten-round unanimous decision win. Previously, on July 20, 2019, Vlasov defeated Isaac Chilemba. At stake were the Eurasian Boxing Parliament and World Boxing Organization Global Light Heavyweight titles.
Vlasov suffered a Boxing odds loss in the only world championship opportunity of his career. Specifically, on November 18, 2018, when Krzysztof Glowacki defeated him for the World Boxing Organization Interim Cruiserweight title.
Joe Smith Jr. vs. Maxim Vlasov SBG Free Pick
On this occasion, gamblers have their choice of two excellent contenders in this one. Betting action will be relatively even. And a robust case to be made for each man. Of major concern is that the loser of this fight will face a long road back. On the whole, Joe Smith Jr. has a superior body of work.
Smith vs. Vlasov SBG Free Pick: Joe Smith Jr.