According WBO:s most recent rankings, Umar Salamov is #1 and Maxim Vlasov #2. Alvarez is #3 followed by Smith Jr. at #4. Former WBO super middleweight champ Ramirez has dropped to #8 due to inactivity. Not sure how or if he factors in..
Smith punches harder than all of them. But he's cruder than them all, particularly Kovalev. I'm hoping for Smith KO.
Vlasov vs Smith jr for the wbo then I reckon funny how yarde was number 1 contender until he ran out of gas against old fart Kovalev lol!
So I guess Zurdo is out of the tourney. I wonder if he's going to DAZN. I presumed they'd sub in Joe if that happened. Curious what Beterbiev does now.
On paper you'd favour the better boxer Alvarez on points but I noticed a few improvements in Smith last time out and I've seen Alvarez who is admittedly tough badly hurt before by big right hands over the top and Smith has a monstrous one. He definitely hits harder than the versions of Kovalev that Alvarez fought and he will be throwing his big right with mean intentions. Great fight
Alvarez has 3 out of no where knockout punches. Bute, Kovalev and Seals. Joe Smith knocked down Sullivan Berrera and lost every round wide after that. and Eledier is better than Sullivan. I expect this is a fight you shouldn't miss, Eledier represents Quebec so it's easy to root for him, but Smith is all around likeable I like both fighters I think it makes a better story if Smith wins, I also wish this was for the vacant title. I think I pick Eledier Alvarez but I wouldnt put cash on this lots could happen this is a great fight on paper. as I said 51/49 Alvarez for me meaning I have no issue with people picking smith by ko because I would not be surprised.
I like this fight a lot I'll roll with Alvarez on a decision but Smith Jr is very much a LHW Lemieux; he goes into pretty much every fight with at least a puncher's chance.
I'm dialing back i said 51/49 Eledier. I got it at 50/50 now. Depends how physically strong Eledier Alvarez can be. It could look like the hart fight
I don't fully agree. Only because I think Smith is better than Lemieux p4p Lemieux is probably a better puncher but he doesnt have the heart and Lemieux vs saunders cant be unseen.
Joe Smith takes on all comers its great to see him continue to take on big fights like this while being a part time fighter. I wish some of the bigger names would mix it up the way he does
