Joe Smith Jr would beat Adonis Stevenson says coach

Joe Smith Jr [22(18)-1(1)] caused the upset of the year on Saturday night against Andrzej Fonfara, and his team believe that he could cause another massive shock against WBC light heavyweight champ Adonis Stevenson.

‘The Irish Bomber’ made a mockery of his 14/1 pre-fight odds to crush his fancied Polish opponent inside a round at the hostile UIC Pavilion in Chicago, and coach Jerry Capobianco feels that a bout with the Haitian-Canadian Stevenson [27(22)-1(1)] would go the same way.

In the aftermath of Saturday’s win, Capobianco analysed a potential clash with Stevenson, and told RingTV.com that “I think Joe is stronger, he’s faster, and Stevenson is 38 years old.”

“I’m sure he’s declining a little bit, and Joe is getting a little stronger.”

“Joe is getting a little more mature and Stevenson is getting older.”

When Stevenson and Fonfara met in 2014 the light heavy king had the Polish prince down, but was floored himself en-route to a points win, something which isn’t lost on Capobianco who notes that Smith Jr now knows that “he’s stronger than Stevenson because Stevenson couldn’t do what Joe did.” he said, referring to Stevenson out-pointing Fonfara in 2014.

Going forward in the packed light heavyweight division, Capobianco explained the multitude of options and future opponents which have opened up for the Long Islander, and believes that “Joe would do real well with Stevenson. ”

“If it’s that other guy from German [Juergen Braehmer], I think Joe ought to knock him out.”

Delighted for his charge, Capobianco notes how “he went from people saying he doesn’t deserve the fight [v Fonfara] to a star.”

“I don’t think people will ever question if he belongs in a fight of that caliber again.”

“He didn’t beat him. He destroyed him.”

“Joe really never made any money with boxing yet as of now.”

“From here on in, I’m sure he will.”

Read Mitch Abramson’s full interview with Jerry Capobianco here.