.@beastsmithjr pulls off maybe 2016's biggest upset to date, stopping @andrzej_fonfara in Round 1 on #PBConNBC!! pic.twitter.com/G4aFNpaKX7
— PBC (@premierboxing) June 19, 2016
There was just one problem with it all—Joe Smith Jr, a construction worker from long Island, New York, wasn’t about to bow to his majesty, even after Fonfara’s epic Fight of the Year candidate victory over Nathan Cleverly last October.
Smith, a 26-year-old 14-to-1 underdog, threw a thunder bolt through the light heavyweight division by smashing Fonfara in the first round, knocking him down twice before referee Hector Afu waved it over at 2:32 in the scheduled 10-round light heavyweight clash.
Fonfara (28-4, 16 KOs) blew a chance at WBC light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson, and Smith (22-1, 18 KOs) made himself a few nice paydays ahead in upsetting Fonfara.
Smith had been a club circuit sensation, before making the huge plunge Saturday night. Prior to Fonfara, he only went past six rounds twice. He’s never ventured far beyond his native Long Island, fighting 17 times in the New York area—so this was foreign territory for him.
In the 152 seconds they fought, Fonfara actually landed the higher percentage of punches (21 of 56 for 38% to Smith’s 22 of 67 for 33%), but not the heavier shots.
“I expected to go 10 rounds, Andrzej is a great fighter, but I worked real hard and trained harder than I ever have in my life,” said Smith, who is on a 16-fight winning streak, 12 by knockout. “I came here tonight to prove that I belong here with the best, and I proved that. He’s fought the best fighters in the world and no one has dominated him the way I have.
“I was just trying to stay on top of him and I knew he left himself open here and there, whenever he threw his punches. I told myself, whenever he’s punching to make sure that I punch with him. That’s what I did and I wound up catching him with that overhand right (that dropped Fonfara the first time). When see someone hurt, I don’t let them off the hook. Once I saw hurt, I was determined to get him out.”
In the first round, it was Smith holding the middle of the ring, and he showed he had a good left hook. Smith was willing to drop some of his shots down to the body. Then with 1:04 left in the first, from out of nowhere, Smith unfurled a sweet right hand on Fonfara’s left jaw, sending the Pole down to the canvas.
As Fonfara tried to get to his feet, he stumbled into the ropes. He was literally out on his feet. He had no idea where he was as Afu, the same ref Fonfara had against Cleverly, began the 10-count.
In the far corner, Smith had his hands raised, sensing he just landed the life-changing punch of his boxing career.
Afu stopped his count at seven, and Fonfara, with little left, was nothing but fodder for Smith from there.
The Long Island construction worker quickly jumped on him—and with :48 left in the round, Fonfara fell under a deluge of punches in his own corner.
Afu then wisely waved it over.
And just like that—it was over.
Somewhere at the Local 66 Union hall in Long Island a crowd of construction workers were cheering their co-worker for stepping on the robe of a prince.
Smith will take off a week or two and enjoy some time on the beach.
Joseph Santoliquito is the president of the Boxing Writer's Association of America and a frequent contributor to Sherdog.com's mixed martial arts and boxing coverage. His archive can be found here.