Joe Smith Jr. vs. Maxim Vlasov is postponed after Vlasov’s positive COVID test

The WBO light heavyweight championship bout between Joe Smith Jr. and Maxim Vlasov is postponed after Vlasov tested positive for COVD-19. 

Light heavyweight boxer Joe Smith Jr. was excited to get the second title shot of his 12-year professional career, but recent bad news means that he will have to wait a bit longer.

The Saturday, Feb. 13, WBO light heavyweight title bout between Smith and Maxim Vlasov has been postponed after Vlasov tested positive for COVID-19 two days before the scheduled main event. The fight card will go on without them.

Promoter Top Rank Boxing released a press release regarding Vlasov’s positive test.

“I am devastated with the postponement of my world title fight against Joe Smith Jr.,” stated Vlasov through Top Rank’s press release. “I have been following strict protocols, I have done regular testing with negative results, and I have no symptoms. I am well prepared and had an excellent training camp. I look forward to the rescheduling of the fight and the opportunity to display my world-class skills.”

Vlasov (45-3, 26 KOs) lost his lone major title shot in 2018 against Krzysztof Glowacki. He fought as a cruiserweight then but has made a new home in the light heavyweight division. Vlasov has won his last three fights and has never been knocked out. Vlasov lives in Russia and came to the U.S. to fight Smith for the vacant WBO title.

With Joe Smith Jr. vs. Maxim Vlasov postponed, a lightweight bout between Richard Commey and Jackson Marinez is the new main event

Smith (26-3, 21 KOs) made a name for himself by stopping Andrzej Fonfara in one round in 2016. He followed that performance with a KO win over the legendary Bernard Hopkins in 2017.

In 2019 Smith fought Dmitry Bivol for the WBA title but lost a one-sided decision. He was hoping to best Vlasov to become a world champion for the first time.

“I like fighting bigger guys and taller guys, so I’m just going to do what I do,” said Smith during a press conference earlier in the week. “Stay busy and use my jab and work my way inside.”

Unfortunately for Smith, he will have to wait a little bit longer before he gets to show Vlasov that jab. The good news is the fight has been postponed and not canceled.

The Top Rank fight card on ESPN will go ahead on Saturday, Feb. 13, with a lightweight bout between former IBF champion Richard Commey and Jackson Marinez as the main event. Commey was knocked out in his last bout in 2019 against Teofimo Lopez and is looking to work his way back to a title.

Undercard bouts can be seen on ESPN+ starting at 8:15 p.m. ET. Main Event coverage will air on ESPN at 10 p.m. ET.