Celebrating the 12 Rounds of Christmas
Boxing fans are a loyal bunch, and that loyalty deserves to be rewarded with a holiday gift that keeps on giving.
Smith stops Fonfara for shocking first-round upset
Prior to Saturday night, Andrzej Fonfara appeared well on his way to a lucrative rematch with 175-pound champion Adonis Stevenson. All that stood in his way was Joe Smith Jr., a 26-year-old from Long Island, New York, who was a construction worker by day and had never set foot in a ring against anyone the caliber of Fonfara.
Heavy hitters Fonfara, Smith predict all-out brawl in 175-pound showdown
Joe Smith Jr. watched video of Andrzej Fonfara’s come-from-behind unanimous decision over former champion Nathan Cleverly in October. Which means Smith saw Fonfara set 175-pound records for punches attempted (1,413) and landed (474), all while absorbing Cleverly’s 462 landed shots, which ranked second all time.
As he nears the apex of the 175-pound division, Fonfara now fighting for more than just himself
Andrzej Fonfara returns to the ring Saturday a little more than a month in advance of the anticipated arrival of his first child—a life-changing event that has placed an added premium on victory.
Polish slugger Andrzej Fonfara back in action June 18 when he battles Joe Smith Jr. on NBC
Following his record-setting, all-out war against Nathan Cleverly in mid-October, Andrzej Fonfara looked like he’d need at least year of recovery time before getting back in the ring. Turns out the 175-pound contender is a pretty fast healer.
