07/01/2020
The 10-round bout will take place Jan. 11 inside the Etess Arena at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey and will air live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT).
The clash between Hart and Smith will open the 2020 season of the ’Top Rank on ESPN’ series. Promoter Bob Arum believes the Hart-Smith fight could produce an all-action fight between the two punchers, whose styles complement one another.
“When you have two fighters who can punch like heck, anything can happen,” said Arum. “We believe Jesse Hart has everything it takes to become a world champion, but Joe Smith, Jr. can turn the lights out at any moment. This is a sensational main event to kick off the Top Rank schedule in 2020.