Bivol and Smith Jr meet at the presser

Today in New York, the final press conference was held before the big boxing evening, in the main event of which the WBA light heavyweight world champion Dmitry Bivol (15-0, 11 KO) will enter the ring against the 29-year-old American Joe Smith Jr. ( 24-2, 20 KOs). The Russian American duel will take place on March 9 at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, New York, presented by the promotion company Matchroom Boxing USA in collaboration with World Boxing and Main Events.

“I will not talk much,” said Bivol. “I just want to thank all my team for helping me to prepare for this fight, all my sparring partners. I am ready for battle. And I hope Joe is ready too, and we will have a great fight. Do not miss it.

“I want to thank everyone who helped me get this fight,” said Joe Smith Jr. “I gave my all in the preparations. A title fight is a dream for any boxer, and this is my chance. I'm going to take the championship belt to my hometown and share this joy with everyone who helped me.”

Photos by Ed Mulholland.