The Irish Bomber, Joe Smith Jr., Real Combat Media’s Most Improved Boxer of the Month
By Robert Brizel, Head RCM Boxing Correspondent
*Photo Credit: Robert Brizel
Everybody likes a fighting Irishman! Known as ‘The Irish Bomber’, Joe Smith Jr. is for real. At 24, the Long Island light heavyweight has a record of 14-1 with 11 knockouts. In his recent bout against 40 bout veteran Otis Griffin, Smith won every round easily, putting pressure on his opponent and forcing him to fight the whole six rounds. In superb condition, Smith gave Griffin no choice, fight the whole way or else, and hold when you are lucky enough to do so. Griffin was barely able to survive the six rounder, and would not have survived if the bout had been longer.
Smith needs to step up the pace in his next bout and fight an eight rounder. Actually the Griffin bout may have been scheduled for eight rounds, perhaps the promoter felt Griffin could not survive that long, and if so, Lou DiBella was on the mark. As Smith’s abilities increase, few fighters will be as fortunate as Griffin was to go the distance. How far Smith progresses remains to be seen. So far, his stock is rapidly rising, and will continue to rise if he fights every six to eight weeks. Promoter Lou DiBella is a keen advantage, as DiBella is one of the best at moving his fighters. The next 18 months should tell the story. Smith is trained by former light heavyweight contender Phil Capobianco and his brother Gerard Capobianco at Heavyhitters Boxing Gym on Long Island.
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