Ivanovski, a 191-pound Israeli, and Smith, a 197-pounder from Tennessee, touched gloves before attacking each other as if they were lions after raw meat. The 6'3" Smith initially fought out of a slight crouch and dipped down before exploding with overhand rights. Ivanovski boxed from an upright stance, but had no trouble letting his hands go. He targeted the body with pulverizing left hooks under Smith's high guard.
After an active opening round in which Smith connected with his share of rights, Ivanovski closed the round strong. A counter right, two left hooks to the body, two straight rights, and a left hook up top took their toll and Smith was wobbled late in the first.
Smith was told to jab in the corner and tried unsuccessfully at the beginning of the second round. He was knocked back when the 23 year old Israeli scored with a check left hook. Smith then eschewed any pretense of boxing and started winging wild rights, many of which found their intended targets. At one point, Daniel was trapped on the ropes as Smith landed right after right.
Smith then opened up with another right in the center of the ring, but Ivanovski beat him to it and Smith was hurt. Daniel didn't follow up, instead remaining patient and consistent with his offense. He finished the second strong as well with left hooks to the body.
Smith faded at the end of the second three minutes and his mouth was open in the third. The tough Tennessean went for broke early and touched up Ivanovski, but couldn't hurt him. After that flurry, Smith threw less and Ivanovski's measured assault took the round. His left hooks to the head and straight rights were the primary punches in the third. A right shook up Smith at the end of the period.
Both men were tired in the fourth, but Ivanovski had more in the tank. Smith's best moments involved pushing and leaning on Daniel while the Israeli was against the ropes. Ivanovski slipped Smith's attempts and landed some good body shots. With just a few seconds left, Ivanovski landed two straight rights to Smith's temple. Smith stumbled a bit and referee Eric Dali jumped in and stopped the bout at 2:46 of the final round. Smith was baffled by the referee's decision, but Dali noticed the stumble and Smith's persistent fatigue, which likely contributed to the stoppage.
Ivanovski's performance was very good, but not without flaws. He kept his left too low and allowed Smith to land way too many rights without setting them up at all. The Israeli didn't jab much, perhaps worried about the counter right over the top, but jabbing and moving could've prevented some damage. Otherwise, there was a lot to like. He varied his punches, was very poised, finished each round strong, showed a good chin, and a commitment to the body, which had a serious effect on Smith's stamina.
Smith was a tough, awkward opponent and though Daniel didn't have a perfect outing, he was impressive in earning his second stoppage victory in as many fights. Smith is now 2-1 with 2 KOs.
Ivanovski is tentatively scheduled to fight next on February 15 in Durham, North Carolina, USA.
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