In a WBO light heavyweight eliminator, Joe Smith Jr. (26-3, 21 KOs) scored a highlight reel ninth round knockout against former world champion Eleider “Storm” Alvarez (25-2, 13 KOs) on Saturday night inside “The Bubble” at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Smith roughed up and outworked Alvarez all night. The end came in round nine when Smith laid out Alvarez with a huge right hand. Time was :26. At the time of the KO, Smith was up 80-72, 79-73, 79-73.
Former WBA middleweight world champion Rob “Bravo” Brant (26-2, 18 KOs) busted up Vitaliy Kopylenko (28-3, 16 KOs) over five rounds. The bout was halted after the fifth round by Kopylenko’s corner due to a closing left eye.
In a clash between unbeaten junior welterweights, Julian “Hammer Hands” Rodriguez (20-0, 13 KOs) destroyed “Action” Anthony Laureano (13-1, 4 KOs) in the first round. Rodriguez floored Laureano three times. Time was 2:50.
Middleweight spoiler Clay Collard (9-2-3, 3 KOs) scored a second round TKO over club fighter Maurice Williams (7-2, 3 KOs). Collard dropped Williams in round two and stopped him later in the round. Time was 1:54.
Former amateur star Duke Ragan won his professional debut with a first round TKO over Luis Alvarado (1-2, 1 KO) in the featherweight division. Ragan dropped Alvarado, who beat the count but wasn’t all there and referee Jay Nady waved it off. Time was 1:54.
In a clash of unbeaten bantamweights, Robert “Biggie” Rodriguez (9-0-1, 5 KOs) scored a first round KO over Abel Soriano (10-1, 7 KOs). Rodriguez dropped Soriano three times in round one. Time was 2:59.
In a clash between unbeaten junior welterweights, Israel Mercado (8-0, 7 KOs) won a six round unanimous Adrian Valdovinos (5-1-1, 4 KOs). Scores were 59-55, 60-54, 60-54. First time going the distance for Mercado.
Alvarez is a bum. The guy has amazing talent but zero heart. Even the first Kovalev fight he was getting beat and landed a bug shot. How do you fight a crude puncher and just stand in front of him the entire fight and barely throw anything back? No footwork, no jab…. Hurt the guy with a big right hand and don’t throw another punch the entire round. Watching guys like him makes me sick. Why bother? Take you paycheck and retire. You disrespect yourself, the sport and all of its fans with lackluster performance after lackluster performance.
Alvarez has been a beast. Not sure what you’re talking about man. I figured he was gonna win like most everyone else, except Arturo.
I did think Smith was going to win, and for me a lot had to do with age, and the injury he suffered. I also felt Smith’s win over Hart late last year was a boost. I found the boxers Porter and Ward kind of funny, I don’t know who said it, but it was kind of funny when they were praising Alvarez’s patience as he was loosing every round. Could have at most given him two rounds. But no, Alvarez is no bum, to be bleeding like that, and still come out shows great heart.
I think Arturo called it. Amazing.
Smith is tough, but he needs to go to the body, I think he had 8 body shots!!!
That’s true he’s a good hard punch you but he doesn’t go to body much if you want to body see what I should do it when I was growing up with body head body head body body head body head body body that’s the way to get him down he can’t breathe he can’t fight you know I mean but he did good he’s a good fighter
Dayummm Joe Smith is making a career out of beating the crap out of big mouths! First is was Bernard “I’ll never lose to a white boy” Hopkins, which Joe not only beat his ass but beat it right out of the ring. Then it was loud mouth Jesse Harts turn to get slaughtered and now Alvarez? Great job Joe! I like humble fighters that let their fists do the talking.
I had Smith in this fight. I don’t know when the other fight is, but Smith – Salamov would be a war.
Then you’re sleeping on Maxim Vlasov. Salamov has fought no one and he will get tested by Vlasov, and may very well lose.
I’m not sleeping on Vlasov, I didn’t say Salamov would win.
Both men had some ring rust, but that was to be expected. Smith, as always, presses his punches with power in both hands. I am sure Hopkins tuned in to watch probably hoping for an Alvarez win, but instead, he a bad flashback. LOL
Good for him
Clay collard keeps winning. Let’s see how far he goes.
Good morning Boxing news,all employees, Boxers, family members, associates and friends prayers to everyone that all are well. I am glad that Boxing is back and you guys figured it out.
Major props to you and all enjoy your day. Chavez jr. Boxing again. Me and my brother have been watching boxing for over 40 years and we hope that he will always be safe in any and all of his fights. Enjoy guys