Boxing

Joe Smith Jr wants Bivol after Beterbiev fights on June 18


Via Craig Daly: Star Boxing promoter Joe DeGuardia says his boxer WBO light heavyweight champion Joe Smith Jr will be aiming for a rematch with WBA champion Dmitry Bivol or potentially Canelo Alvarez if he defeated IBF/WBC champion Artur Beterbiev in their unifying clash on June 18.

When it was announced that promoter Frank Warren had written October 22 to his boxer Anthony Yarde to challenge the winner of a showdown between Beterbiev and Smith, DeGuardia said it was “too soon”.

DeGuardia said that the WBO did not specify that the winner Beterbiev-Smith must face Yarde. If Smith (28-3, 22 KOs) defeats Beterbiev, they will decide which way to go, be it a rematch with Bivol or Beterbiev or possibly a clash with Canelo.

DeGuardia doesn’t seem thrilled to have Smith play Yarde (22-2, 21 KOs) on October 22 in the UK, as he likes the idea of ​​Joe competing in New York City at Madison Square Garden .

According to promoter Eddie Hearn, Bivol will likely face Joshua Buatsi or Callum Smith next September or October. If Bivol wins, a rematch against Canelo could happen in May 2023.

“First, I don’t want to look past Beterbiev. This is a real challenge and we are focusing on Betterbiev,” said Joe Smith Jr promoter Joe DeGuardia. iFL TV when it was announced that promoter Frank Warren had booked a venue in London for October 22 for winners Beterbiev and Joe Smith Jr. against Anthony Yarde. He spoke to Top Rank about it.

“Though it might be a bit early for me to think about the next war. What Frank is saying is certainly premature,“DeGuardia continued.

“Any conversation he can have, and I love Frank, and I’m sure he has whatever he has to say. Once this war [with Beterbiev] done and ended with, Joe Smith and I will get together and we’ll make a decision about what we think is next.

“I know Frank believes the WBO will dictate the order [against Yarde] for Joe Smith, but that hasn’t happened yet. A lot of things can happen.

“Joe won that game on June 18; We’ll see where we go and what happens next. Certainly, we have a strong loyalty to WBO because of him [Smith Jr] are WBO champions, and we’ll definitely listen regardless of their position.

“But currently, there are no indications. It would be too soon for Frank to say that because there is no indication for that effect yet, and really, I think that makes it difficult for him to try to make that claim and Yarde should. But he’s going to take his throw and try to get his guy in there.

“In my view, we will be looking for the biggest battles out there. That’s what I’ll do on June 19 if all goes well on June 18 for Joe Smith.

“Like anything else, money means a lot in this sport, but also legacy, and Joe Smith wants to avenge the loss he has faced with Bivol.

“So that will weigh and influence our decisions as well as anyone else out there that we might be fighting.

“Obviously, a lot of things have to happen with the WBO for that to happen. Other than that, I imagine the WBO would also be a very sensible authority.

“They’re a sanctioning body, and I have a lot of respect for them, and I’m not sure they’ll just casually say, ‘Okay, this is what you’re doing, this is you Come on.’

“I think they will go through their processes to determine who is the required challenger at that point because nothing happens until the fight is over, and then they will appoint who is obligatory person.

“If it was Yarde, then we would get together and decide, ‘Can we do that deal together? Can we make a deal for that war to happen? ‘

“I heard you mention Frank talking about the war that took place on October 22 in the UK. Well, there’s a lot for that to happen. Madison Square Garden seems like a fun place for us to play against each other.

“For Joe Smith, We Will Sell Hulu For This Fight [Beterbiev], I’m sure. Joe’s stature will only grow larger if he defeats Beterbiev, and there’s a lot that could go on here in the US and New York for a big fight with Joe Smith if he defeats Beterbiev and holds it all. all titles.

“So I thought all of that was going to work, and like I said, Frank had to go out there and advertise his guy. [Yarde] and do what he has to do for his warrior. When all is said and done, and Joe is the unified champion, we will sit down and decide what we think is best for his career in the next game.

“There is a certain Mexican legend in Canelo. We expect him to fight in September,” DeGuardo said when asked what other options are there for Smith Jr to fight next besides Bivol.

“There are a lot of other guys who can make interesting battles with Joe Smith and big fights. There’s a lot of action in and around that department [light heavyweight]And there’s so much we can do.

“Nor do I ignore the fact that we should get past Beterbiev or not, that match is, I expect, that’s why everyone in the UK will be watching as well as on ESPN here and around the world. gender.

“I look forward to that fight [Beterbiev vs. Smith Jr] to become real fireworks. I hope it will be the bombs in a really, really hot war. So is there a chance of a rematch if it’s such a good fight?

“There’s a lot that could happen, and that’s really why we have to wait and see what happens on June 18. Again, I don’t want to get past June 18 because I know we have a real test ahead of us in Artur Beterbiev. June 18 will be a special night for boxing,” said DeGuardia.




Source link

newsofmax

News of max: Update the world's latest breaking news online of the day, breaking news, politics, society today, international mainstream news .Updated news 24/7: Entertainment, Sports...at the World everyday world. Hot news, images, video clips that are updated quickly and reliably

Related Articles

Back to top button
Immediate Matrix Immediate Maximum