The vacant WBO world light heavyweight title will be on the line on Saturday when Joe Smith Jr. battles Maksim Vlasov from "The Bubble" at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas.
The 31-year-old Smith is most known for sending Bernard Hopkins through the ropes and into retirement in December 2016. Smith challenged for the WBA title but came off second best against Dmitry Bivol, losing via unanimous decision in March 2019. He is the fresher of the two after fighting twice in 2020, beating Jesse Hart in January before he plowed past through former light heavyweight titlist Eleider Alvarez via ninth-round TKO in August.
Vlasov, 34, is perhaps best known for his exploits at cruiserweight but has dropped down a weight to chase his first world title. The fight will be his first match-up since November 2019, when he beat Emmanuel Martey via unanimous decision.
Here is everything you need to know about Joe Smith Jr. vs. Maksim Vlasov.
Joe Smith Jr. vs. Maksim Vlasov fight date, start time
- Date: Saturday, Feb. 13 (Sunday, Feb. 14 in the UK)
- Time: 10 p.m. ET/ 3 a.m. GMT
The Smith vs. Vlasov card will begin at 10 p.m. ET / 3 a.m. GMT. Smith and Vlasov are expected to enter the ring at around 11 p.m. ET, pending how the long the co-main event between Richard Commey and Jackson Marinez lasts.
How to watch Smith vs. Vlasov: TV, live stream
- ESPN (U.S.)
- Premier Sports (United Kingdom)
The Smith vs. Vlasov fight will air live on ESPN in the U.S. and UK viewers are able to watch it on streaming service Premier Sports. The preliminary card airs on ESPN+, starting at 7 p.m. ET.
Where is the Smith Jr. vs. Vlasov fight?
The fight will take place in The Bubble at the MGM Grand Convention Center in Las Vegas.
Joe Smith Jr. record and bio
- Nationality: American
- Born: Sept. 20, 1989
- Height: 6-0
- Reach: N/A
- Total fights: 29
- Record: 26-3 with 21 knockouts.
Maksim Vlasov record and bio
- Nationality: Russian
- Born: Sept. 11, 1986
- Height: 6-3 ½
- Reach: 76.5 inches
- Total fights: 48
- Record: 45-3 with 26 knockouts.
Joe Smith Jr. vs. Maksim Vlasov fight card
- Joe Smith Jr. Maksim Vlasov for the vacat WBO Light Heavyweight title
- Richard Commey vs. Jackson Marinez; Lightweight
- Jason Sanchez vs. Adam Lopez; Featherweight
- Jared Anderson vs. Kingsley Ibeh; Heavyweight
- Eric Puente vs. Sergio Vega; Lightweight
- Bryant Costello vs. Troy Isley; Middleweight
- Fernando Macias vs. Floyd Diaz; Light Flyweight
- Jaji Tucker vs. Eric Rodriguez; Light Welterweight