Joe Smith Jr.
Joe Smith Jr. (born September 20, 1989) is an American professional boxer who competes primarily in the light heavyweight division, renowned for his aggressive punching power and his background as a union construction laborer who balanced manual work with his boxing career.[1][2] With a professional record of 28 wins and 5 losses, including 22 knockouts, Smith turned pro in 2009 after a successful amateur career that featured over 50 bouts and multiple national titles, such as the 2006 USA Title World Championship and Junior Olympic championships in 2004, 2005, and 2006.[1][3] His breakthrough came in 2016 when he captured the WBC International light heavyweight title with a first-round knockout of Andrzej Fonfara and later achieved a stunning eighth-round technical knockout of 51-year-old Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins, marking the first stoppage loss of Hopkins' storied career.[1] Smith's career peaked in the light heavyweight ranks with a majority decision victory over Maxim Vlasov on April 10, 2021, to claim the vacant WBO world title, which he defended once via ninth-round TKO against Steve Geffrard in January 2022.[4][5] Notable wins also include a ninth-round stoppage of former champion Eleider Álvarez in 2020.[6] However, he faced setbacks with losses to top contenders, including a second-round knockout by Artur Beterbiev in June 2022, which cost him the WBO belt, a unanimous decision defeat to Sullivan Barrera in 2017, a unanimous decision loss to Dmitry Bivol in 2019, a majority decision loss to Gilberto Ramírez in October 2023, and an early career defeat to Eddie Caminero in 2010.[1][7] Standing at 6 feet tall with a 76-inch reach, the orthodox fighter from Mastic, New York, has been a fan favorite for his relentless pressure style and underdog story, having graduated from William Floyd High School and maintained ties to Laborers' Local 66.[1][8] As of November 2025, Smith remains inactive since his last fight in 2023, having moved up to cruiserweight for potential future bouts; his planned return fight in early 2025 was postponed due to illness and has not yet occurred.[9][10]Early life and amateur career
Early life
Joe Smith Jr. was born on September 20, 1989, in Long Island, New York, and raised in the working-class community of Mastic Beach.[11][12] As the eldest of eight siblings—seven brothers and one sister—in an Irish American family, he grew up in a large household that emphasized resilience and hard work.[13][12] He lived with his mother, Marie, during his early years but moved in with his father, Joe Sr., at age 13, a transition that significantly shaped his path.[14] Smith attended William Floyd High School in Mastic Beach, graduating in 2007 while balancing family responsibilities and budding athletic interests.[11] To channel his energy and avoid trouble in his neighborhood, his father introduced him to boxing at age 13, enrolling him at the Heavy Hitters gym in Ronkonkoma, Long Island.[12][15] This outlet quickly became a positive force, helping him develop discipline amid the challenges of a crowded household and limited resources.[16] By age 18, shortly after high school graduation, Smith became a father to a daughter, which added early responsibilities and motivated his commitment to boxing as a means of providing stability for his family.[17] These formative experiences in a blue-collar environment instilled the "Common Man" ethos that would define his persona, blending everyday struggles with a drive for self-improvement through the sport.[13]Amateur career
Joe Smith Jr. began his boxing journey at the age of 13, training at a local gym in Long Island, New York, where he quickly developed a passion for the sport.[13] Over the course of his amateur career, which spanned from around 2002 to 2009, he accumulated approximately 50 fights, competing primarily in regional and national tournaments.[18] His dedication during this period laid the foundation for his professional success, marked by consistent victories and a string of regional titles that highlighted his potential as a light heavyweight contender. Smith's early achievements included winning the Junior Olympic Championship three consecutive years from 2004 to 2006, establishing him as one of the top young amateurs in the country.[19] He followed this with victories in the Empire State Games in 2006, 2007, and 2008, dominating New York state-level competitions.[14] Additionally, he secured the New York Metro Championship four times, in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009, showcasing his regional dominance, and won the 2006 USA National Championships.[19][18] The pinnacle of his amateur career came in 2008 when, at age 18, Smith won the New York Golden Gloves in the light heavyweight division by defeating his Long Island rival Sean Monaghan in the final at Madison Square Garden.[20] This victory, against a more experienced opponent, was a defining moment that boosted his confidence and led him to turn professional in 2009.[14][1]Professional career
Early professional career (2009–2015)
Joe Smith Jr. made his professional boxing debut on October 31, 2009, at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, where he defeated David Brown by technical knockout in the first round.[21] Over the next year, Smith compiled an undefeated 6-0 record, all by knockout or technical knockout, showcasing his aggressive style and punching power against journeyman opponents in regional bouts primarily on the East Coast.[22] His early momentum was halted on August 6, 2010, in a scheduled six-round fight against Eddie Caminero in Uncasville, Connecticut, where Smith suffered his first professional loss by technical knockout in the second round after sustaining a broken jaw.[23] Despite the setback, which dropped his record to 6-1, Smith rebounded decisively, embarking on a 14-fight winning streak that defined the remainder of his early career. This run included 12 stoppages, with notable victories such as a sixth-round unanimous decision over veteran Otis Griffin on February 12, 2014, at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City, improving his record to 14-1.[24][25] In September 2014, Smith signed a long-term promotional deal with Star Boxing, which elevated his visibility through headlining slots on the company's "Rockin' Fights" series at the Paramount Theatre in Huntington, New York.[26] Under this banner, he secured a first-round knockout against Maxell Taylor on December 20, 2014, extending his streak.[27] Throughout 2015, Smith continued his dominance with several stoppage wins in scheduled eight- and ten-round bouts against durable regional contenders, culminating in a hard-fought ten-round unanimous decision victory over Will Rosinsky on December 5, 2015, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, bringing his record to 20-1 with 16 knockouts.[28] This period solidified Smith's reputation as a relentless light heavyweight contender, though he had yet to challenge for any major titles, often balancing his boxing career with full-time construction work.[13]Breakthrough period (2016–2017)
In 2016, Joe Smith Jr. began his breakthrough by securing a second-round technical knockout victory over Fabiano Pena on April 23 at the Paramount Theatre in Huntington, New York, extending his winning streak to 15 fights.[29] This performance positioned him for a high-profile opportunity against Andrzej Fonfara, a seasoned contender and holder of the WBC International light heavyweight title. On June 18, 2016, at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Smith, a significant underdog, delivered a stunning first-round TKO upset by dropping Fonfara multiple times with powerful combinations, capturing the title in what was hailed as one of the year's biggest surprises.[30][31] The momentum from the Fonfara win propelled Smith into a marquee matchup against boxing legend Bernard Hopkins on December 17, 2016, at The Forum in Inglewood, California. In the eighth round, Smith landed a devastating left hook that propelled Hopkins through the ropes and onto the ring apron, resulting in a knockout victory and marking the end of Hopkins' storied 28-year career at age 51.[32][33] This triumph elevated Smith's profile dramatically, establishing him as a legitimate contender in the light heavyweight division and earning widespread recognition for his blue-collar determination as a full-time construction worker.[16] Smith's ascent continued into 2017, though it faced a test on July 15 at The Forum in Inglewood, where he challenged Sullivan Barrera for the interim WBC light heavyweight title. Despite dropping Barrera with a left hook in the first round, Smith suffered a unanimous decision loss after 10 rounds (97-92, 97-92, 96-93), compounded by a broken jaw sustained early in the bout that required surgery.[34][35][36] The defeat, while a setback, underscored his resilience and kept him in contention, as the period overall transformed him from a regional fighter into a nationally noted prospect with back-to-back landmark victories.[37]Title pursuits (2018–2020)
Following his unanimous decision loss to Sullivan Barrera in July 2017, Joe Smith Jr. returned to the ring in June 2018 against Melvin Russell at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The bout served as a tune-up to rebuild momentum toward another world title opportunity, with Smith dropping Russell twice before securing a first-round knockout victory at 1:45, improving his record to 24-2 (20 KOs).[38] Smith's performance earned him a shot at the WBA light heavyweight title against undefeated champion Dmitry Bivol on March 9, 2019, at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York. Bivol dominated the contest with superior jab work and footwork, outlanding Smith 179-102 in total punches according to CompuBox statistics, leading to a unanimous decision loss for Smith with scores of 118-110, 119-109, and 119-109. Despite a late rally in the tenth round where Smith briefly stunned Bivol, the defeat dropped Smith's record to 24-3 (20 KOs) but kept him in contention among top contenders.[39] In 2020, Smith first faced Jesse Hart on January 11 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in a high-stakes matchup against the former super middleweight contender moving up in weight. Smith applied relentless pressure, knocking Hart down in the second round with a right hand and outlanding him 190-149 in power punches per CompuBox, securing a split decision victory with scores of 97-92, 98-91, and 94-95 to advance his record to 25-3 (20 KOs). The win positioned Smith for a WBO light heavyweight title eliminator against former champion Eleider Álvarez on August 22 at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Smith controlled the fight with heavy combinations, leading on all scorecards before a ninth-round right-left combo sent Álvarez through the ropes, resulting in a knockout at 0:30 and marking the first stoppage loss of Álvarez's career; Smith's record improved to 26-3 (21 KOs), earning him mandatory status for the WBO title.[40][41]WBO championship reign (2021–2022)
On April 9, 2021, Smith won the vacant WBO light heavyweight title by majority decision over Maxim Vlasov at the Osage Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with judges scoring the 12-round bout 115-113, 115-112, and 114-114.[42] The fight, originally scheduled for February but postponed due to Vlasov's positive COVID-19 test, saw Smith rally in the later rounds after a competitive early exchange, landing heavier shots to secure the upset victory against the favored Russian contender.[42] This marked Smith's first world championship, achieved at age 31 on his 30th professional fight, highlighting his perseverance as a late-blooming contender from Long Island, New York.[42] Smith made his first title defense on January 15, 2022, against Steve Geffrard at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, stopping the Haitian challenger via ninth-round TKO at 2:26.[5] The bout, rescheduled from December after Geffrard's original opponent Callum Johnson tested positive for COVID-19, featured Smith dominating with pressure and power punching, dropping Geffrard in the ninth before the referee intervened amid unanswered blows.[5] Geffrard, a durable southpaw with an 18-1 record entering the fight, absorbed heavy punishment but showed resilience until the stoppage, underscoring Smith's aggressive style in retaining the belt.[5] Smith's reign ended on June 18, 2022, in a unification bout against Artur Beterbiev at Madison Square Garden's Hulu Theater in New York City, where he was stopped by second-round TKO at 2:00, surrendering the WBO title while Beterbiev added it to his WBC and IBF belts.[43] Beterbiev, undefeated at 18-0 with all knockouts, overwhelmed Smith with precise combinations, flooring him twice in the second round before the stoppage, in a fight promoted as a high-stakes unification that drew significant attention to the light heavyweight division.[43] Despite Smith's reputation for toughness, including his 2016 upset of Bernard Hopkins, he was unable to withstand Beterbiev's power, ending his 14-month championship tenure with one successful defense.[43]Post-title career (2023–present)
Following his loss of the WBO light heavyweight title to Artur Beterbiev in June 2022, Joe Smith Jr. remained inactive for over a year before returning to the ring on October 7, 2023, against former super middleweight champion Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramírez at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada.[44] The bout marked Ramírez's debut at light heavyweight and was scheduled for 10 rounds. Smith Jr., entering with a record of 28-4 (22 KOs), aimed to rebound from the title defeat but struggled against Ramírez's technical boxing and movement.[45] Ramírez dominated the fight, outlanding Smith Jr. in punches and controlling the pace throughout, leading to a unanimous decision victory for the Mexican fighter with scores of 99-91, 99-91, and 99-91.[44] Smith Jr. showed resilience in spurts, particularly in the middle rounds, but could not mount a consistent offensive, absorbing significant punishment while landing fewer than 20% of his power shots according to CompuBox statistics.[46] The loss dropped Smith Jr.'s record to 28-5 (22 KOs) and highlighted challenges in his post-championship phase, as he was outboxed in a wide decision that extended his losing streak to two fights.[47] Since the defeat to Ramírez, Smith Jr. has been out of action, marking a layoff of over two years as of late 2025. In November 2024, promoter Star Boxing announced his return to the ring on February 13, 2025, at The Paramount in Huntington, New York, in a scheduled 10-round cruiserweight bout against an opponent to be named, representing a move up in weight class from light heavyweight.[48] The event, titled Rockin' Fights 50 to celebrate the promotion's anniversary, was postponed from February 7 due to Smith Jr.'s illness and rescheduled for March 22, 2025, with Houston's Devonte Williams (13-1, 6 KOs) later confirmed as the opponent.[10][49] No further bouts have materialized for Smith Jr. following the postponement, leaving him inactive and without an updated professional record beyond the 2023 loss.[9] This extended hiatus has raised questions about his future in the sport, though his promoter has expressed optimism for a full recovery and eventual return.[49]Personal life
Family and relationships
Joe Smith Jr. was born on September 20, 1989, into an Irish American family in Mastic Beach, New York, as the eldest of eight siblings—seven brothers and one sister—in a working-class household from Suffolk County.[50] His father, Joe Smith Sr., became a teenage parent at age 15 and later guided his son's entry into boxing; at 13, Smith Jr. moved in with his father, who enrolled him in a local gym to channel his energy positively.[51][3] The family maintained strong ties, with Smith Jr. often crediting his upbringing for instilling resilience and a blue-collar work ethic.[50] In May 2023, the family endured profound tragedy when Smith's younger brother, Alex Smith, aged 30, was fatally shot in the parking lot of a bar in Mastic Beach following a dispute; Alex, a father of four children ranging in age from 10 months to 9 years, left behind a grieving family, with Smith Jr. describing himself as "a mess" amid the loss. In November 2024, Joseph Scalafani pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison in January 2025.[52][53][54] Smith honored his brother's memory during subsequent fights, carrying emotional weight from the incident into his professional career.[55] Smith married his longtime girlfriend, Kelly Smith, on March 6, 2021, after dating for seven years; the couple postponed their Caribbean honeymoon due to his training schedule for a world title bout.[56][50] The pair, who met earlier in Smith's amateur days, welcomed their daughter, Liana, in 2008, shortly before his professional debut; Liana's birth coincided with a pivotal early win, marking a personal milestone amid his rising career.[3] Smith has publicly expressed deep affection for fatherhood, balancing family life with his demanding boxing schedule.Life outside boxing
Joe Smith Jr. has maintained a blue-collar career outside of boxing, working as a union laborer and entrepreneur on Long Island. A longtime member of Laborers' Local 66 (LIUNA), he has been employed in construction since graduating from William Floyd High School in 2007, performing tasks such as pouring concrete and site preparation on projects including university dormitories and train stations.[2][13][51] This labor-intensive work has complemented his physical conditioning for boxing, allowing him to train in the evenings after full workdays.[57] In 2017, Smith used earnings from his boxing career to co-found Team Smith Tree Service with his father, establishing a family-run business specializing in tree removal, trimming, and land clearing for residential and commercial clients in the New York area.[57][58] The company, based in Mastic Beach where Smith was born and raised, reflects his commitment to providing reliable services to the local community while sustaining financial stability independent of fight purses.[59] Smith has continued to oversee operations even during high-profile bouts, occasionally delegating fieldwork to employees to focus on training.[58] His dual life as a laborer and fighter has earned him the moniker "The Common Man," symbolizing his relatable, working-class ethos amid professional sports.[60] Despite achieving world championship status in 2021, Smith has expressed no intention of fully retiring from manual labor, viewing it as integral to his identity and work ethic.[57]Professional boxing record
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Type | Rd., time | Date | Location | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 28–5 | Gilberto Ramírez | MD | 12 | 2023-10-23 | The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas, Nevada | Ramirez vs. Smith Jr. | For WBO International light heavyweight title.[1] |
| Loss | 28–4 | Artur Beterbiev | KO | 2 (12) | 2022-06-18 | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York | Beterbiev vs. Smith Jr. | Lost WBO light heavyweight title.[1] |
| Win | 28–3 | Steve Geffrard | TKO | 9 (12) | 2022-01-15 | Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York | Smith Jr. vs. Geffrard | Retained WBO light heavyweight title.[1] |
| Win | 27–3 | Maxim Vlasov | MD | 12 | 2021-04-10 | Osage Casino, Tulsa, Oklahoma | Vlasov vs. Smith Jr. | Won vacant WBO light heavyweight title.[1] |
| Win | 26–3 | Eleider Álvarez | TKO | 9 (12) | 2020-08-22 | MGM Grand Conference Center, Paradise, Nevada | Álvarez vs. Smith Jr. | [1] |
| Win | 25–3 | Jesse Hart | TKO | 7 (12) | 2020-01-18 | Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey | Hart vs. Smith Jr. | [1] |
| Loss | 24–3 | Dmitry Bivol | UD | 12 | 2019-03-09 | Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York | Bivol vs. Smith Jr. | For WBA (Super) and IBO light heavyweight titles.[1] |
| Win | 24–2 | Melvin Russell | UD | 10 | 2018-06-18 | Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut | Rockin' Fights | [1] |
| Loss | 23–2 | Sullivan Barrera | UD | 12 | 2017-07-15 | The Forum, Inglewood, California | Barrera vs. Smith Jr. | [1] |
| Win | 23–1 | Bernard Hopkins | TKO | 8 (12) | 2016-12-17 | The Forum, Inglewood, California | Hopkins vs. Smith Jr. | [1] |
| Win | 22–1 | Andrzej Fonfara | TKO | 1 (12), 2:25 | 2016-06-18 | UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois | Fonfara vs. Smith Jr. | Won WBC International light heavyweight title.[1] |
| Win | 21–1 | Fabiano Peña | KO | 3 (10), 2:00 | 2016-04-16 | The Paramount, Huntington, New York | Rockin' Fights | [1] |
| Win | 20–1 | Will Rosinsky | SD | 8 | 2015-12-11 | Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York | DiBella Entertainment | [1] |
| Win | 19–1 | Dion Savage | TKO | 1 (8), 1:32 | 2015-09-12 | The Paramount, Huntington, New York | Rockin' Fights | [1] |
| Win | 18–1 | Cory Cummings | UD | 8 | 2015-04-18 | The Paramount, Huntington, New York | Rockin' Fights | [1] |
| Win | 17–1 | Maxwell Taylor | UD | 6 | 2014-12-13 | The Paramount, Huntington, New York | Rockin' Fights | [1] |
| Win | 16–1 | Tyrell Hendrix | TKO | 2 (6), 1:45 | 2014-07-12 | B.B. King Blues Club, New York, New York | Rockin' Fights | [1] |
| Win | 15–1 | Michael Gbenga | KO | 1 (6), 1:18 | 2014-03-15 | Aviator Sports Complex, Brooklyn, New York | Rockin' Fights | [1] |
| Win | 14–1 | Otis Griffin | KO | 5 (8), 0:52 | 2014-02-15 | Roseland Ballroom, New York, New York | Star Boxing | [1] |
| Win | 13–1 | Lamont Williams | TKO | 2 (6) | 2013-11-16 | Aviator Sports Complex, Brooklyn, New York | Rockin' Fights | [1] |
| Win | 12–1 | Hamid Abdul Mateen | TKO | 2 (4), 2:00 | 2013-05-11 | Resorts World Casino, Queens, New York | Rockin' Fights | [1] |
| Win | 11–1 | Yasin Rashid | UD | 4 | 2012-09-15 | Resorts World Casino, Queens, New York | Rockin' Fights | [1] |
| Win | 10–1 | James Denson | TKO | 1 (4), 2:47 | 2012-05-12 | Plattduetsche Park Restaurant, Franklin Square, New York | Rockin' Fights | [1] |
| Win | 9–1 | Amador Acevedo | UD | 4 | 2012-04-28 | Le Cordon Bleu, Woodhaven, New York | Rockin' Fights | [1] |
| Win | 8–1 | Dennis Ogboo | KO | 1 (4), 1:51 | 2012-03-24 | MGM Grand at Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut | Star Boxing | [1] |
| Win | 7–1 | Santos Martinez | TKO | 1 (4), 1:15 | 2011-07-16 | Aviator Sports Complex, Brooklyn, New York | Rockin' Fights | [1] |
| Loss | 6–1 | Eddie Caminero | UD | 4 | 2010-08-14 | Aviator Sports Complex, Brooklyn, New York | Rockin' Fights | [1] |
| Win | 6–0 | Charles Wade | TKO | 2 (4), 1:37 | 2010-07-10 | B.B. King Blues Club, New York, New York | Rockin' Fights | [1] |
| Win | 5–0 | Walter Foster | UD | 4 | 2010-06-05 | Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut | Star Boxing | [1] |
| Win | 4–0 | Christopher Dammones | KO | 1 (4), 1:49 | 2010-04-24 | Masonic Temple, Brooklyn, New York | Rockin' Fights | [1] |
| Win | 3–0 | Carlos Adams | TKO | 1 (4), 1:43 | 2010-03-27 | MGM Grand at Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut | Star Boxing | [1] |
| Win | 2–0 | Brandon McGowan | TKO | 1 (4), 1:32 | 2009-11-07 | Twin River Event Center, Lincoln, Rhode Island | Classic Entertainment and Sports | [1] |
| Win | 1–0 | David Brown | UD | 4 | 2009-10-31 | Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut | Star Boxing | Professional debut.[1] |