Adonis Stevenson vs Joe Smith jr april 2017

Stevenson doesn't appear to be very eager to face Kovalev or Ward.. Of course i'd welcome those fights first, I never said otherwise... I don't get why you're so vehemently opposed to Smith/Stevenson considering what's going on in the division. Smith is on a great run and Kovalev/Ward II is more likely to happen than Stevenson facing either. Anyways... Smith has a earned a big fight whether you like it or not.

 

You think that Smith's defeat of B level Fonfara and Grandpop BHOP is "a great run", but I think it is just timing and circumstance.
Put Smith in with some real competition (Barrera, Beterbiev, Williams, Chilimba) and maybe then I will be convinced.
Taking him from 52 year old BHOP to Stevenson is worthy of welfare queen praise.

 

Williams is real competition? LOL! Smith sprung two upsets back to back and is rated in most top 10s. That's enough to earn a big fight at LHW, especially against someone like Stevenson who doesn't exactly have a reputation for facing the cream of the crop. Seems to me like you have ulterior motives for not wanting to see this fight, especially with that Williams shout.

 

Barrera is easily better than anyone of Pimp's last 3 title defences.

 

We agree to disagree.

 

I can't make a blind statement like that, devoid of real proof.
Would prefer to see it proven with hard evidence which is why top contenders should face top contenders.
I think Barrera probably learned more from losing to Ward than Smith learned from beating a 52 year old grand-pa.

 

Your last sentence may well be true, but what I said is far from a blind statement.Barrera is clearly a class above Williams, Karpency, Shukotsky, and Bika(the version that Pimp fought) and I'd pick him over Fonfara as well.

 

This is your opinion, lacking any real supporting data, but that's OK.

 

I struggle to see what there's to disagree about. Unless Stevenson signs to fight Ward or Kovalev this fight is perfectly acceptable. Your expectations for Smith are pretty steep.

 

I agree with that.

 

Honestly, Smith with the breakout year he had deserves a title shot against Stevenson. He was the underdog in both fights and won against the odds with highlight reel stoppages. If anyone deserves a shot at Stevenson it's that kid, and Stevenson will probably fight him next too, thinking the same thing as Fonfara and Hopkins did.. That he was a 'Common' Joe, and Smith will land that right and it's for Stevenson.

 

I prefer to see the sport of boxing elevated, rather than lowered.
Because of Kovalev-Ward, Stevenson is now in the position of having to take a big fight.
Why waste it by having him fight Fonfara II, or an unproven contender like Smith.

IMHO, Smith's defeat of BHOP was as insignificant as Bute's win over Johnson.
He won, but it really means nothing except he didn't lose against a 52 year old man. Now, set him up against Beterbiev and see if he is in fact, the real goods.

 

Well Smith isn't unproven anymore though. He's showed his merit and compiled a pretty good resume this last year. Not everybody could beat Fonfara and Hopkins the way that he did. I don't look at Smith as being a step down, as he already solidified he's a contender, but your entitled to your opinion!

 

Very winnable fight for Smith Jr. Stevenson will probably open at like -450, this is a great opportunity to make some money going with Smith.

 

I think it's a lot like the Williams Jr. fight on paper but give Smith Jr. a slightly higher chance of upsetting the odds. Still worthy of a bet in any case... Especially considering Smiths current run.