Smith KOs Geffrard, Rigondeaux Returns, Bob Arum Talks Canelo
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Valiant and courageous are two words to describe Steve Geffrard’s game attempt at Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York, on Saturday night, January 16, 2021, televised on ESPN, promoted by Top Rank, against World Boxing Organisation World Light Heavyweight champion Joe Smith Jr. in the televised ESPN main event. Geffrard took the bout on eight days of notice after 12 other contenders turned the bout down. Geffrard, a former USA National Amateur and Police Athletic League Amateur champion, and USA Amateur Fighter of the Year in 2010, and a winner of 18 straight pro bouts, was preparing for an eight-rounder when he took this 12 round championship bout.
Smith Jr., 28-3 with 22 knockouts, Long Island, New York, knocked out Geffrard, 18-3 with 12 knockouts, Miami, Florida at 39 seconds of the ninth round. Geffrard did not cut, but appeared to be only an eight-round fighter. He was in the sauna reducing pounds for his eight-round fight when the Smith opportunity call came. The detail was an indicator Geffrard was struggling to make 175 pounds in the days before his originally scheduled eight-rounder. Geffrard. tiring with the championship pace set by Smith, had his mouth open in the seventh round. Geffrard faded for three rounds, and appeared frustrated, clueless, and out of gas when Smith dropped him on the ropes in a corner in round nine. Geffrard offered a Cus D’Amato style Floyd Patterson peekaboo high gloves defense, but lacked a significant punch output to give his opportunity a fighting chance. Smith, a vicious hard hitter, may not be quick on his feet, but his punch count volume told the story of Geffrard’s pending doom from the outside, making Smith’s win just a matter of time.
Former World Boxing Association Bantamweight and Super Bantamweight World champion Guillermo “The Jackal” Rigondeaux, 20-2 with 13 knockouts, age 41, Miami, Florida, will return next month against Filipino veteran Vincent “Acero” Astrolabio, 16-3 with 12 knockouts, age 24, General Santos City, Philippines, on February 26, 2022, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Rigondeaux will have to overcome six months of activity and 17 years of age to deal with the prospect of Astrolabio in a challenging 10 rounder.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum talked about Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and his planned Cinco de Mayo weekend return in May 2022. According to Arum “The ball is in Canelo’s court. Canelo is the biggest attraction in boxing now. He’s a tremendous talent, a tremendous fighter, and he more or less picks his opponents. He also tries to get the best guys. So he could fight Beterbiev, he could fight Smith, but it’s up to Canelo and I think he’s looking to do a fight in May.” Canelo has also been looking at World Boxing Council World Cruiserweight champion Ilunga Junior Makabu, who defends his title on January 29, 2022, as a possible May opponent. Cruiserweight has a 200 pounds weight limit, quite a jump up for Canelo, who has already won a world title at 175 pounds light heavyweight. It remains hard to see Canelo much above 180 pounds, but the available challengers and the money is there, whatever weight direction Canelo, the reigning world champion at 168 pounds, opts to go, up or down.
COMMENTS
English