Upset of the Midyear Consensus: Fonfara vs. Smith
Oh man. Somewhere Julio Chavez Jr. and Nathan Cleverly are hiding while Joe Smith Jr. is celebrating this phenomenal upset. We’ve had some great upsets this year, but a first-round KO in what was certainly a major mismatch seals the deal.
I don’t think we’ll see Smith do too much in the future. If he takes on guys like Kovalev or Ward he’ll get starched for sure, but for now this is an upset worth running back on YouTube a few times.
Pick: Andrzej Fonfara vs. Joe Smith
Liam Brady, Graphic Designer/Staff Writer
There is a wealth of talent fighting in Japan that is getting some international exposure, mainly due to Teiken’s Roman Gonzalez, who has a rising popularity on HBO, as well as a claim to the pound-for-pound number one spot.
Back on topic, Jezreel Corrales’ win over Takashi Uchiyama is the upset of the midyear without a doubt. Making his 13th defense of his WBA super featherweight title (10 defenses ending via KO, TKO and retirement), Uchiyama was an expected favorite over Corrales, who had only seven knockouts in 19 wins before this fight.
What’s more, Uchiyama was undefeated, and had 20 knockouts in 24 victories. However, Corrales was sharp in the early exchanges, and was not intimidated at all. After two knockdowns, a crude left hook put an end to the fight, and the unknown Corrales was the new champion.
Pick: Jezreel Corrales vs. Takashi Uchiyama
Brandon Glass, Staff Writer
Joe Smith Jr. surprised us all when he caught an overconfident Andrzej Fonfara throwing a lazy left hook, by countering with a perfect overhand right that mashed his easy button.
We were all stunned, but not as much as a buzzed Fonfara, who couldn’t believe the situation he found himself in while he stumbled around the ring on shaky legs.
As soon as the ref allowed the action to continue, Smith swarmed a conscious, but flaccid Fonfara, who was dropped twice more before the ref called the fight.
What a bad look for Fonfara, getting steamrolled by a mainly obscure challenger in the first round of his second title defense.
Pick: Andrzej Fonfara vs. Joe Smith
Leann Perez, Staff Writer
I couldn’t wait to see Ruslan Provodnikov back in the ring. He truly is a modern day Rocky, and this fight just made me sad.
Provodnikov took a beating and it made (an average) John Molina look amazing. Made me just want to say, ‘Hey Ruslan, maybe it’s time to hang them up.’
However, the new trainer probably didn’t help. Seems like a lot of fighters are getting off the Joel Diaz train.
Pick: Ruslan Provodnikov vs. John Molina
Shelbi Keyes, Staff Writer
A construction worker by day, Joe Smith Jr. insisted before his fight with Andrzej Fonfara that he was ready to show the world how good he really is, and Smith did so in less than three minutes.
Fonfara was heavily favored going into this bout. Smith came out of his corner extremely hungry, unleashing devastating blows to Fonfara. Fonfara was dropped for the first time at the 64-second mark, after Smith delivered a vicious temple shot.
Fonfara was able to get up, but Smith did not hesitate to continue his attack, firing 14-unanswered punches–the last dropping Fonfara again.
Referee Hector Afu was forced to wave an end to the fight at the 2:32 mark.
I did not see that coming.
Pick: Andrzej Fonfara vs. Joe Smith
Alan Garcia, Staff Writer
Boxing is the theater of the unexpected. An upcoming prospect or champion that is favored to win, has the chance of having his lights knocked out by the underestimated underdog.
In this case, Andrzej Fonfara, a good-caliber fighter who was beating the odds against many fighters, was the favorite to win against the relatively unknown Joe Smith.
Unbeknownst to everyone, the matchup ended as quickly as it began. Joe Smith pulled one of the greatest knockout upsets of the year. It is that unpredictability that makes this sport such an entertaining one to watch.
Pick: Andrzej Fonfara vs. Joe Smith
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Lots of good options in the this category. Interestingly enough, Andrzej Fonfara was the consensus choice in this category last year, expect in 2015 he knocked out the heavily favored Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Oh how times have changed. Many people (including myself) expected the native of Poland to dominate the unheralded construction worker, Joe Smith Jr., but Fonfara was shocked in his adopted hometown of Chicago.
I was close to picking Fonfara vs. Smith, but looking at the big (and shady internet streamed) picture I think Jezreel Corrales vs. Takashi Uchiyama is the best pick here.
Corrales went to Ucyhiyama’s backyard and took the WBA strap with a shocking Round 2 stoppage. Corrales was unranked, while Uchiyama was looking to make his 12th title defense (and remain unbeaten).
Pick: Jezreel Corrales vs. Takashi Uchiyama
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Other Nominees
