Light Heavyweight Title in Tulsa: Joe Smith Jr. and Maxim Vlasov Ready for Saturday Showdown

Smith-Vlasov and Efe Ajagba-Brian Howard heavyweight bout to air live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

Undercard fights, including the return of heavyweight sensation Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson, will stream live on ESPN+ at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT

 CLICK HERE for Photos 
Courtesy: Mikey Williams/Top Rank via Getty Images

CLICK HERE to watch the Press Conference

Smith vs. Vlasov Weigh-in

TULSA, OK (April 8, 2021) — Joe Smith Jr., the small business owner and former union construction worker from Long Island, just wants to fight. Smith, who operates Team Smith Tree Service with his father, hopes to chop down Maxim Vlasov and win the vacant WBO light heavyweight world title Saturday evening at Osage Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma (ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN, 10 p.m. ET).

Smith and Vlasov were scheduled for a pre-fight press conference once before, Feb. 11 in Las Vegas. Vlasov tested positive for COVID-19 that day, and their scheduled Feb. 13 fight was temporarily derailed. Vlasov recovered, went home to Russia, and then finished training camp in Las Vegas.

Smith got married, but he delayed his honeymoon to focus on the task at hand. Instead of the bright lights of Las Vegas, they will do battle in the Sooner State in front of a sold-out crowd.

Before fight night, this is what both fighters had to say.

Joe Smith Jr. 

“I was 100 percent ready to go back in February, but it’s OK. I had time to enjoy my wedding day and now I’m just ready to go once again.”

“I know what I’m going up against. He is a busy and aggressive guy with a lot of experience, but I have prepared well and I’m going to give 100 percent of myself to come out victorious.”

“Becoming world champion and hearing the words, ‘and new!’ it’s going to be an amazing feeling. This is everything I have been working for since I was 15 years old.”

Maxim Vlasov

“I’m sure that you will see no ring rust at all this time. I’ve been preparing well. I’ve been sharpening my skills, and I’m ready to give it my all, 100 percent.”

“I feel the same as a younger boxer who is less experienced because this is a great chance for me. This is a great responsibility, a great risk. I am very excited and motivated for this fight.”

“I have taken preparation seriously, watched many of his fights, and learned some things. I don’t like to talk about his weakest or strongest points or divulge any strategies or plans related to the fight.”

SATURDAY, April 10, 2021

ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+, 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

Joe Smith Jr. vs. Maxim Vlasov, 12 rounds, Vacant WBO Light Heavyweight World Title

Efe Ajagba vs. Brian Howard, 10 rounds, heavyweight

ESPN+, 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT

Jared Anderson vs. Jeremiah Karpency, 8 rounds, heavyweight

Albert Bell vs. Manuel Rey Rojas, 8 rounds, junior lightweight

Robson Conceicao vs. Jesus Antonio Ahumada, 8 rounds, junior lightweight

Trey Lippe Morrison vs. Jason Bergman, 8 rounds, heavyweight

Duke Ragan vs. Charles Clark, 6 rounds, featherweight

Sonny Conto vs. Waldo Cortes, 4 rounds, heavyweight

Jeremiah Milton vs. Jayvone Dafney, 4 rounds, heavyweight

Photos:

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Event Name: Smith vs. Vlasov — Press Conference
Date: Thursday, April 8, 2021
Link to Images on Getty: CLICK HERE

For any concerns or questions regarding how Getty operates, please contact our Getty Images representative Mark Awad at [email protected] or [email protected] for assistance.

(ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+, 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT)

    •    Joe Smith Jr. 174.8. lbs vs. Maxim Vlasov 175 lbs 
(vacant WBO Light Heavyweight World Title — 12 Rounds)
Judges: David Sutherland, Pat Russell, Gerald Ritter
Referee: Gary Ritter

•          Efe Ajagba 239.6 lbs vs. Brian Howard 218 lbs 
(Heavyweight— 10 Rounds)

(ESPN+, 5:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. PT)

•   Jared Anderson 251.8 lbs vs. Jeremiah Karpency 226.6 lbs 
(Heavyweight — 8/6 Rounds)

•         Albert Bell 132.2 lbs vs. Manuel Rey Rojas 132 
(Junior Lightweight  — 8 Rounds)

   •   Robson Conceição 128.4 lbs vs. Jesus Antonio Ahumada 129
(Junior Lightweight  — 8 Rounds)

•       Trey Lippe Morrison 225.8 lbs vs. Jason Bergman 256
(Heavyweight  — 8 Rounds)

•      Duke Ragan 125.8 lbs vs. Charles Clark 126.6
(Featherweight  — 6 Rounds)

•        Jeremiah Milton 231.8 lbs vs. Jayvone Dafney 222.6
(Heavyweight — 4 Rounds)

•        Sonny Conto 230.4 lbs vs. Waldo Cortes 262
(Heavyweight — 4 Rounds)

Event Name: Smith vs. Vlasov — Weigh-in
Date: Friday, April 9, 2021
Link to Images on Getty: CLICK HERE

Betting Odds:

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