SHEFFIELD boasts a proud fighting history. Home to British legends such as Naseem Hamed, Kell Brook, and Johnny Nelson, the jewel of South Yorkshire boxing could be poised for yet another coronation, as Dalton Smith, 17-0 (13 KOs), eyes a world title challenge.
Currently the WBC mandatory challenger in the super-lightweight division, a shot at undefeated Dominican and reigning world titleholder Alberto Puello, 24-0 (10 KOs), is around the corner. Smith first puts his position at risk as he collides with Mathieu Germain, 26-2-1 (11 KOs), on home soil on Saturday night.
Training at Steel City Gym under the tutelage of his well-respected father, Grant Smith, Dalton has opted for the traditional route in his career thus far. Dalton has maintained an undefeated record while advancing through the levels, picking up the British, Commonwealth and European super-lightweight titles along the way.
During 2024, ‘The Thunder’ appeared just once, but defeated a former world champion for the first time, halting Jose Zepeda with a vicious body shot in the fifth round. He returned in January to pick up the European crown inside one round against an overmatched Walid Ouizza.
Three months on and Smith is now tasked with Germain, seeking a fourth straight win inside the distance to tee up a possible showdown with Puello later in the year. Victory would cement Smith as this generation’s poster boy of Sheffield boxing.
As for Germain, the 35-year-old fights outside of his native Canada for the first time, looking to add to an eight-fight win streak that was kick-started by a career-best victory in his well-aged rematch with Steve Claggett, who challenged for the WBO world title last June.
In each of his career defeats, ‘G-Time’ has been knocked out due to a lack of punch power. He was unable to deter Uriel Perez and Yves Ulysse Jr. from coming forward in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Germain was beaten down and stopped as a result.
Though his fast hands and slick style could make for a closer contest than many anticipate in the first half of the fight, BN Online believes that Smith will likely invest in the body in the early stages. He will eventually grind the visitor down, getting the knockout win during the second half of the scheduled 12-rounder.
On the undercard, Caoimhin Agyarko, 16-0 (7 KOs), steps in as a late-notice replacement for Ishmael Davis, taking on Ryan Kelly, 19-5-1 (8 KOs). The Belfast boxer seeks to re-establish himself in the super-welterweight division after losing his way of late despite his unbeaten record.
Meanwhile, two-time featherweight world champion, Josh Warrington, 31-4-1 (8 KOs), returns following three straight defeats. Despite retirement rumours, Josh is aiming to get back to winning ways against Asad Asif Khan, 19-6-1 (5 KOs), who went the distance with Michael Conlan last month.
Additionally, Josh Padley, 15-1 (4 KOs), makes his Matchroom debut after heroically challenging for Shakur Stevenson’s WBC title in February. Undefeated Serbian Marko Cvetanovic, 13-0 (6 KOs), is selected to be Padley’s first opponent under the banner of Eddie Hearn’s firm.
The full card from the Park Community Arena will be available to watch live on DAZN on Saturday night. The main card will begin around 7PM (BST).
