01-12-2020, 07:35 PM
Smith dominates Hart, wins split decision
By Kurt Wolfheimer at ringside
Light heavyweight Joe Smith, Jr. (25-3, 20 KOs) dominated Jesse Hart (26-3, 21 KOs) over ten rounds on Saturday night at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, but only won by split decision. The harder-hitting Smith aggressively pressed the action while Hart tried with limited success to operate from outside. Smith rocked Hart in round four, dropped him in round seven, then punished him the rest of the way. Scores were 97-92, 98-91 for Smith, and a bizarre 95-94 for Hart.
Hart had vowed to avenge Hall of Fame Bernard Hopkins’ loss to Smith in 2016, but instead Smith made it 2-0 against Philly.
By Kurt Wolfheimer at ringside
Light heavyweight Joe Smith, Jr. (25-3, 20 KOs) dominated Jesse Hart (26-3, 21 KOs) over ten rounds on Saturday night at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, but only won by split decision. The harder-hitting Smith aggressively pressed the action while Hart tried with limited success to operate from outside. Smith rocked Hart in round four, dropped him in round seven, then punished him the rest of the way. Scores were 97-92, 98-91 for Smith, and a bizarre 95-94 for Hart.
Hart had vowed to avenge Hall of Fame Bernard Hopkins’ loss to Smith in 2016, but instead Smith made it 2-0 against Philly.