Dalton Smith vs. Walid Ouizza | DAZN - 25 January 2025

[handsofstone]

Groves and DeGale are living proof why domestic prospect should fight each other, both world champs and rightly revered

[THEBUTCH]

'eff me ! Dalton was highly impressive

Seized the European title with a dazzling display of speed and accuracy, all the while looking as cool as a cucumber.

I sincerely hope he capitalises on this performance because he looks like a star in the making.

[Coco]

It was Smith that made him look crap

[JamesPhilips]

Bellew had it 9-1 heading into that round.

And he’s said it’s a bad stoppage?

He said he was throwing back

It was a perfectly reasonable stoppage. Scarff threw one weak shot in Walker’s repeated final onslaught. Bellew says some odd things sometimes. Usyk must’ve hit him hard.

[margaret thatcher]

absolutely no one cares about walid ouizza, but getting the euro is style is a good accomplishment. kinda awkward path to go from beating zepada to back to facing guys like ouizza for the euro - will dalt press on for world level or stick to euro title for now?

[THEBUTCH]

Good post

And coco's right too...Dalton made look Ouizza look bad because he's in a different class.

Being a traditionalist I'd like to see Smith defend his newly acquired European title....he could easily fit in 2 or at a stretch 3 defences in 2025 (but seems unlikely given his poor form for staying active...although the 19 month break didn't appear to pose him any issues with ring rust).

To my mind making defences of the European title still seems to make inroads to a world title shot, its a decent earner and will likely provide valuable experience competing over 12 rounds....plus, if it's not working out, you can just ditch the title!

[mickey1975]

Good post

And coco's right too...Dalton made look Ouizza look bad because he's in a different class.

Being a traditionalist I'd like to see Smith defend his newly acquired European title....he could easily fit in 2 or at a stretch 3 defences in 2025 (but seems unlikely given his poor form for staying active...although the 19 month break didn't appear to pose him any issues with ring rust).

To my mind making defences of the European title still seems to make inroads to a world title shot, its a decent earner and will likely provide valuable experience competing over 12 rounds....plus, if it's not working out, you can just ditch the title!

It was 10 months. Before that he was fairly active and it looked like they was trying to build something in Sheffield. He won't have been away from the gym whilst injured, he lives boxing. Maybe they just wanted to get him out before bringing him back to Sheffield, with Hearn there, in the summer.

[keithmoonhangover]

I don't agree with the forum so much as Bellew

It wasn't a great stoppage for me, not for a LLB with a big lead especially.
Hurt obviously and didn't complain, but I'd like to have seen if he could have regained his shape..

I didn't think he was in a position to defend himself, did you?

[THEBUTCH]

Corner threw in the towel, so both the referee and Ouizza's trainer were of the same opinion.

[maverick23]

Smith was punch perfect in the main event but crazy how Ouizza was mandatory. He was tailor made for Smith. Smith’s timing reminded me a bit of Kell Brook when he was running through British title defences.

It’s a shame how low the EBU title has fallen in terms of relevance.

Wasn’t a good card.

The Spider fight shouldn’t have been on the main card and whilst the women’s fight wasn’t a bad one you knew how it was going to go (distance UD) after about a minute.

I quite enjoyed the Scarff fight although it was pretty messy.

[Coco]

Good post

And coco's right too...Dalton made look Ouizza look bad because he's in a different class.

Being a traditionalist I'd like to see Smith defend his newly acquired European title....he could easily fit in 2 or at a stretch 3 defences in 2025 (but seems unlikely given his poor form for staying active...although the 19 month break didn't appear to pose him any issues with ring rust).

To my mind making defences of the European title still seems to make inroads to a world title shot, its a decent earner and will likely provide valuable experience competing over 12 rounds....plus, if it's not working out, you can just ditch the title!

It was 10 months. Before that he was fairly active and it looked like they was trying to build something in Sheffield. He won't have been away from the gym whilst injured, he lives boxing. Maybe they just wanted to get him out before bringing him back to Sheffield, with Hearn there, in the summer.

Smith is still relatively inexperienced at this level, it would be good to get him a couple of EBU defences before moving himself into true world class.
So do it like this and he will be ready.
Just keep the fella busy.

[Coco]

Compare Smith to the McCormack brothers.

Smith is 27, won the. Londsale belt outright, commonwealth and euro champ, ready to begin his assault on world honours.

The McCormack brothers were quality amateurs, stayed there, had some injury and promotional probs, now 29, and neither has fought for a title.

Your pro career is so short, and can be gone in a blink of an eye

[SeanBrennan]

Compare Smith to the McCormack brothers.

Smith is 27, won the. Londsale belt outright, commonwealth and euro champ, ready to begin his assault on world honours.

The McCormack brothers were quality amateurs, stayed there, had some injury and promotional probs, now 29, and neither has fought for a title.

Your pro career is so short, and can be gone in a blink of an eye

good context that. Do you think the brothers will kick on to do something?

[SeanBrennan]

At least everyone gets to go home early

I was surprised to see Bellew there after the fight, usually straight off to his wife and kids is our Tone

[keithmoonhangover]

Compare Smith to the McCormack brothers.

Smith is 27, won the. Londsale belt outright, commonwealth and euro champ, ready to begin his assault on world honours.

The McCormack brothers were quality amateurs, stayed there, had some injury and promotional probs, now 29, and neither has fought for a title.

Your pro career is so short, and can be gone in a blink of an eye

The McCormack's should be with the same promoters headlining bills in Sunderland.

[Coco]

Compare Smith to the McCormack brothers.

Smith is 27, won the. Londsale belt outright, commonwealth and euro champ, ready to begin his assault on world honours.

The McCormack brothers were quality amateurs, stayed there, had some injury and promotional probs, now 29, and neither has fought for a title.

Your pro career is so short, and can be gone in a blink of an eye

good context that. Do you think the brothers will kick on to do something?

I fear they won't, I mentioned this when they turned over.
You turn over late and there is no time to lose, and you only have a short time to improve.

The way things are going, neither will win a British title, despite having talent to burn.

At this weight 29 isn't young. If everything goes well it will be 2/3 years before they get to Smith's level, and they will be both well over 30.

Don't forget years in the GB squad takes its toll between high class sparring and top level fighting.

I hope they earned well in the GB squad.

[SeanBrennan]

Compare Smith to the McCormack brothers.

Smith is 27, won the. Londsale belt outright, commonwealth and euro champ, ready to begin his assault on world honours.

The McCormack brothers were quality amateurs, stayed there, had some injury and promotional probs, now 29, and neither has fought for a title.

Your pro career is so short, and can be gone in a blink of an eye

good context that. Do you think the brothers will kick on to do something?

I fear they won't, I mentioned this when they turned over.
You turn over late and there is no time to lose, and you only have a short time to improve.

The way things are going, neither will win a British title, despite having talent to burn.

At this weight 29 isn't young. If everything goes well it will be 2/3 years before they get to Smith's level, and they will be both well over 30.

Don't forget years in the GB squad takes its toll between high class sparring and top level fighting.

I hope they earned well in the GB squad.

I think you get like a base salary as a top am don't you? I suspect it is a stable but not large income (but I've no real idea). I do think people like Conlan, and even Clarke show the dangers of staying amateur too long. I respect Clarke for going through the waiting of Olympic cycles to finally get picked and medal, but I think he is very old for an early-career HW now. I wonder if there is an ideal age/number of fights for an am before turning over, and I appreciate it's winning something in the ams to give you some standing when you do turnover so you're not starting from having to run about selling tickets (that sounds as stressful as fighting).

[maverick23]

Good post

And coco's right too...Dalton made look Ouizza look bad because he's in a different class.

Being a traditionalist I'd like to see Smith defend his newly acquired European title....he could easily fit in 2 or at a stretch 3 defences in 2025 (but seems unlikely given his poor form for staying active...although the 19 month break didn't appear to pose him any issues with ring rust).

To my mind making defences of the European title still seems to make inroads to a world title shot, its a decent earner and will likely provide valuable experience competing over 12 rounds....plus, if it's not working out, you can just ditch the title!

It was 10 months. Before that he was fairly active and it looked like they was trying to build something in Sheffield. He won't have been away from the gym whilst injured, he lives boxing. Maybe they just wanted to get him out before bringing him back to Sheffield, with Hearn there, in the summer.

Smith is still relatively inexperienced at this level, it would be good to get him a couple of EBU defences before moving himself into true world class.
So do it like this and he will be ready.
Just keep the fella busy.

European level isn’t what it once was. Ouizza was mandatory and he was pretty poor. He wouldn’t win a British title from what I’ve seen. Jon Fernandez is next in line. Smith would be better off going straight for the Puello/Martin winner or Oscar Duarte (if he beats Prograis).

[Coco]

It was 10 months. Before that he was fairly active and it looked like they was trying to build something in Sheffield. He won't have been away from the gym whilst injured, he lives boxing. Maybe they just wanted to get him out before bringing him back to Sheffield, with Hearn there, in the summer.

Smith is still relatively inexperienced at this level, it would be good to get him a couple of EBU defences before moving himself into true world class.
So do it like this and he will be ready.
Just keep the fella busy.

European level isn’t what it once was. Ouizza was mandatory and he was pretty poor. He wouldn’t win a British title from what I’ve seen. Jon Fernandez is next in line. Smith would be better off going straight for the Puello/Martin winner or Oscar Duarte (if he beats Prograis).

If they can keep him busy, like what FW did with Hatton, get him fighting against Euro level, fringe world level, get the rounds in, get a support base.
He isn't a puncher at top level so needs to get used to the pace over the long route too.
Then in 18 months time he will be genuinely ready for the world stage, doing it the right way.
I really don't think the Frenchman was that bad, Smith was that good.

[Coco]

good context that. Do you think the brothers will kick on to do something?

I fear they won't, I mentioned this when they turned over.
You turn over late and there is no time to lose, and you only have a short time to improve.

The way things are going, neither will win a British title, despite having talent to burn.

At this weight 29 isn't young. If everything goes well it will be 2/3 years before they get to Smith's level, and they will be both well over 30.

Don't forget years in the GB squad takes its toll between high class sparring and top level fighting.

I hope they earned well in the GB squad.

I think you get like a base salary as a top am don't you? I suspect it is a stable but not large income (but I've no real idea). I do think people like Conlan, and even Clarke show the dangers of staying amateur too long. I respect Clarke for going through the waiting of Olympic cycles to finally get picked and medal, but I think he is very old for an early-career HW now. I wonder if there is an ideal age/number of fights for an am before turning over, and I appreciate it's winning something in the ams to give you some standing when you do turnover so you're not starting from having to run about selling tickets (that sounds as stressful as fighting).

I think if you are in the elite squad you are on a grand a week

[maverick23]

Smith is still relatively inexperienced at this level, it would be good to get him a couple of EBU defences before moving himself into true world class.
So do it like this and he will be ready.
Just keep the fella busy.

European level isn’t what it once was. Ouizza was mandatory and he was pretty poor. He wouldn’t win a British title from what I’ve seen. Jon Fernandez is next in line. Smith would be better off going straight for the Puello/Martin winner or Oscar Duarte (if he beats Prograis).

If they can keep him busy, like what FW did with Hatton, get him fighting against Euro level, fringe world level, get the rounds in, get a support base.
He isn't a puncher at top level so needs to get used to the pace over the long route too.
Then in 18 months time he will be genuinely ready for the world stage, doing it the right way.
I really don't think the Frenchman was that bad, Smith was that good.

Who at European level would get him ready for a world title fight?

[Coco]

European level isn’t what it once was. Ouizza was mandatory and he was pretty poor. He wouldn’t win a British title from what I’ve seen. Jon Fernandez is next in line. Smith would be better off going straight for the Puello/Martin winner or Oscar Duarte (if he beats Prograis).

If they can keep him busy, like what FW did with Hatton, get him fighting against Euro level, fringe world level, get the rounds in, get a support base.
He isn't a puncher at top level so needs to get used to the pace over the long route too.
Then in 18 months time he will be genuinely ready for the world stage, doing it the right way.
I really don't think the Frenchman was that bad, Smith was that good.

Who at European level would get him ready for a world title fight?

For me if he fought McComb, O'Leary and Taylor this year, they would be big domestic fights, generate interest, give him experience of the big stage, give him rounds too.
Taylor taken last would give him the best prep for top level

[Coco]

Foley will give him rounds too

[steve689]

Jon Fernandez was supposed to be the original opponent. He'd be a solid next step. Has experience of fighting better guys, can punch a bit but is beatable at the end of the day. Would like to see Dalton make that defence and maybe another after that before moving on to world level.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Ellie Scotney-Mea Motu



Harry Scarf-Conah Walker