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.
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.
