January 15: Joe Smith Jr. to Defend WBO Light Heavyweight Title Against Steve Geffrard LIVE on ESPN

WBO light heavyweight world champion *Joe Smith Jr* will make his first
title defense against an unlikely contender. British puncher Callum Johnson
tested positive for COVID-19, so Smith will now face *Steve Geffrard *on
Saturday, Jan. 15 at Turning Stone Resort Casino and LIVE on ESPN and ESPN
Deportes (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

In the 10-round co-feature, featherweight contender *Abraham Nova* (20-0,
14 KOs), who was originally slated to fight Jose Enrique Vivas, will fight
Dominican veteran *William “El Gago” Encarnacion *(19-1, 15 KOs) after
Vivas dropped out with an injury.

“I give Steve credit for taking this fight on short notice,” Smith said.
“He is a tough guy, and I expect him to bring everything he has for this
opportunity. I’m ready to fight regardless of who is in the ring with me.
My goal is the same, which is to defend my world title and keep it on Long
Island where it belongs.”

Geffrard said, “This is the opportunity of a lifetime. It’s crazy how
boxing works. One moment I’m thinking about boxing on a local show, then
the phone rings for a chance to fight for the WBO world title on ESPN.
Unreal!”

Smith (27-3, 21 KOs), the fighting pride of Long Island, won the title last
April with a majority decision over Maxim Vlasov. His proposed October
return was postponed due to a COVID-19 diagnosis, and with Johnson out, he
turns his attention to Geffrard (18-2, 12 KOs), a 31-year-old native of
Miami, Florida.

Geffrard is a nine-year pro who has won 18 straight fights since starting
his career 0-2. He upped his record to 18-2 last March, winning an
eight-round unanimous decision over longtime contender Denis Grachev.
Geffrard had a fight scheduled for Jan. 8 in Delray Beach, Florida, but the
“South Florida Cinderella Man” jumped at the chance to fight Smith on eight
days’ notice.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing,
tickets priced from $49 to $89 are on sale now and can be purchased at the
Turning Stone Resort Box Office, charge by phone by calling 800.771.7711 or
online at Ticketmaster
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.

*About Turning Stone Resort Casino*

Host of the January 15th event, Turning Stone Resort Casino
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is
a Forbes Four-Star Award-winning destination resort, which continues to
distinguish itself as a premier venue for fight-of-the-year caliber boxing.
Turning Stone features world-class amenities including The Lounge with
Caesars Sports, a state-of-the-art sports book in partnership with Caesars
Entertainment, five hotels, more than 20 signature dining options, two
spas, a 125,000 square foot Las Vegas style gaming floor, multiple
entertainment venues, five golf courses, and several bars and lounges
offering live entertainment every weekend. Additionally, Turning Stone is
the Official Resort Casino of the International Boxing Hall of Fame
Weekend. The partnership is a multifaceted initiative to spotlight boxing
throughout the entire region. The program includes a series of boxing
events at Turning Stone that culminate every year in June with an elaborate
and bigger-than-ever International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend
celebration. International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend will be held June 9
– 12, 2022.

As an increasing number of athletes and performers now require
ticketholders to be vaccinated, Turning Stone has updated its health and
safety protocols for the Event Center, The Showroom and Exit 33 nightlife
venues to align with industry health and safety protocols. All
ticketholders 12 years or older are required to provide proof of
vaccination to attend any event at the Turning Stone Event Center or The
Showroom. Children 11 years or younger who are not vaccinated are required
to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours of the event and
will be required to wear face coverings while at Turning Stone. Guests
visiting areas other than the Event Center, The Showroom and Exit 33
nightlife venues at Turning Stone are not required to provide proof of
vaccination. All guests visiting Turning Stone are required to wear masks.