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.
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
