Steve Geffrard wasn’t supposed to be here. Last Friday, he was preparing to weigh in for a fight in Delray Beach, Florida, when he received a call. WBO light heavyweight champion Joe Smith Jr. needed an opponent after Callum Johnson contracted COVID-19. Geffrard answered the call and will fight Smith for the world title this Saturday evening on ESPN at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, NY. At Thursday’s press conference, this is what the fighters had to say.
Joe Smith Jr: “Since I became a world champion, the only thing that has really changed for me is that I’m holding this title, and I want to keep it that way. Geffrard has been inside the ring training with the best. I’m sure he is going to give it his all and will try to take full advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Steve Geffrard: “When those belts are on the line, that mental switch turns on. I know that mentally and skill-wise I can battle with the best. I have sparred with, and handled myself very well, against the best of the division. I’m a fighter, especially with an opportunity like this. I’m going to rise to the occasion. I’ll show the world who Steve Geffrard is.”
Should be a good fight. depending on which Joe shows up will be interesting. If he’s sharp, he should win within 3 rounds. If he’s lackadaisical like he was against his loss against Bivol and lackluster performance draw against Sullivan then Geffrard wins this.
Looking at them and listening to them, Geffrard seems like a very live underdog. But looks and sounds can be deceiving. Hopefully he makes the most of it because he almost surely won’t get another shot like this.
Looking to see a good scrap here. Never heard of Steve Geffrard. Rooting for Joe Smith, Jr.
Really should have postponed this til they find a better opponent well if the WBO title meant anything they should have. Kind of like the Jets coming in as a last minute replacement to play the Chiefs in the playoffs