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Boxing promoters intend to reschedule Joe Smith Jr.’s light heavyweight title fight against Maxim Vlasov for April 10, according to a report.
Smith, who is also known as “The Irish Bomber” and is from Shirley, was originally scheduled to square off with Vlasov in the WBO title match at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas on Feb. 13.
The 12-round bout was cancelled when Vlasov tested positive for COVID-19 on Feb. 11, the day before the boxers were supposed to weigh in. Now, BoxingScene.com reports that Smith and the 6-foot-4 Russian will duke it out on ESPN at a location yet to be determined.
Smith, 31, is the WBO-NABO light heavyweight champion. His knockout victory over Colombian Eleider Álvarez in August gave him the chance to fight Vlasov for the vacated WBO light heavyweight crown.
Smith is the WBO’s number one contender. Vlasov, 34, is number two.
Smith has said that a win over Vlasov will open the door to more opportunities and even bigger fights against other current champions.
“I’m feeling my best right now. My 30s are doing good for me,” Smith told The Sun.
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