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Dalton Smith-Sam Maxwell Likely, April 29 In Sheffield

Dalton Smith could have the Lonsdale belt for keeps before the summer.

Boxing Scene understands that a win for the Sheffield super-lightweight this weekend will bring the train to its next stop in his home city in just a couple of months’ time.

Smith has a record of 13-0 with 10 quick finishes and is back in action on Saturday at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham when he makes the second defense of his British crown against Billy Allington (10-1-4).

The fight between the pair will be screened exclusively live on DAZN, as part of the supporting cast to Leigh Wood’s second defense of the WBA featherweight world title against Mexican danger man Mauricio Lara.

And a win for the 26-year-old undefeated star, who is nicknamed ‘Thunder’ and has been with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom since turning professional back in 2019, will lead to yet another headline slot.

April 29 is believed to be the working date for Smith, who is coached by his father Grant at the Steel City Gym and managed by Paul Ready and Sean O’Toole at STN Sports, to top the bill at the 12,000-seat Utilita Arena in Sheffield for the second time after he stopped Sam O’Maison in their Yorkshire derby at the same venue last August.

And Sam Maxwell, the Commonwealth champion, has been mentioned as the targeted opponent for that date.

Maxwell, who is Liverpool-based, has been out of the ring since last April when he suffered a ninth-round stoppage defeat at the hands of Alejandro Menezes for the then-vacant IBO title in the 10-stone division and he will snap his hiatus on the same card as Smith before this week is out.

‘Super’ Sam is now back training at his amateur club in Liverpool, the Salisbury ABC, and faces Shaun Cooper (13-4, 3 KOs) over six rounds. He will have more than a keen eye on the main event after it seemed a deal was done for the fight to happen between him and Smith later this year.

Dalton Smith’s biggest domestic rival Adam Azim attempted to face Maxwell for his Commonwealth title earlier this month –– on February 11 at the OVO Arena in Wembley, London, exclusively live on Sky Sports –– but the fight fell through after advanced talks failed to produce a deal.

NoSmokeSport was first with the information about the potential line-up of the second show to be headlined by Smith, who has previously held the English title at the weight as well as the WBC International Silver bauble and the WBA International crown."

Terri Harper (13-1, 6 KOs) will defend her WBA super-welterweight title against former undisputed welterweight champion Cecilia Braekhus (37-2, 9 KOs) on the same card, with rumors swirling that Ellie Scotney will land an interim IBF title shot against number two-ranked Maureen Shea in the super-bantamweight division and Youssef Khoumari (14-1-1, 5 KOs) and Reece Bellotti (15-5, 13 KOs) could collide in an eliminator for the British super-featherweight crown.

Should be a good one, if Smith get's through,.

Get the Lonsdale belt.

Then maybe look at European opponents later this year.

Dalton Smith: "I Believe I'll Be Up There With The Very Best Sheffield Has Produced"

“The British Title has a lot of history," said Smith. "Every British fighter wants it and I’ve always said I want the British Title for keeps. I think it was after the O'maison win when I got home and I was looking at the belt and that’s when it hit me, what I’d achieved. That’s when it really hit me. I remember watching the ring walk back thinking, 'wow', if that’s what I can do in my first headliner then there’s going to be some special nights coming.

“Billy Allington is my next opponent. Billy is experienced, he’s durable and I’m expecting him to be fit, he’s got a good workrate. I just feel Billy will struggle with the movement, the angles, the power and the speed. I think slowly over the rounds he’ll run out of ideas. The British Title is definitely staying with me. The longer the fight goes on the more I'll suss him out. I'm very confident I can get this one finished within the distance."

“When my contract was up everyone was on me," said Smith. "There was a lot of attention, and a lot of promoters were after me. It was nice to see because it proved my name is getting out there and I’m showing people what Dalton Smith is about. The top promoters are wanting me in their stables so it shows that the hard work is paying off.

“The team that Matchroom have behind them, that’s where I’ve been since I had my debut in Nottingham. It’s not just Eddie and Frank, it filters down to the media team, the ticket girls and that. Everyone gets on and it’s good vibes. I’ve got one of the best teams in boxing, and that’s their job to go out and do their best for me and that’s what they’re doing.

“The nights I’ve dreamt of are within touching distance for me now. For 18 months I’ve got to work hard. I always work hard but this is the most crucial time for me in my career. If you want something, this is how it is. It’s true grit and hard work. I believe I’ve got the talent. I believe I’m going to be up there with the very best Sheffield has produced. So I’ve got to handle that pressure. There’s some big nights coming."

This will be next.

After tonight's borefest I've gone from wanting to see how Dalton progresses to wanting to see an honest boxer burst his bubble. Maxwell may just do that

Needs to start stepping up in opposition now. Always seems like he has another gear but doesn’t use it. I guess the old cliche ‘he’ll look better when he faces better opponents’ will get rolled out.

I had two mates over and believe me, they will never watch another Dalton Smith fight after that. No way I could sell it to them. This guy has been getting too comfortable stinking out arenas.

Dreadful fight last night with Allington. All talk of Dalton being an elite talent is nonsense IMO- I’ve felt that way for a while.

I’m not particularly looking forward to the Maxwell fight either, as he’s already been pinged around a few times and got a gift win for the British against that kid (his name escapes me) who couldn’t punch through wet tissue. That was another atrocious fight

Smith just isn't a puncher

Second fight in a rown where Smith has looked flat. If he's such a hot prospect he should be making short work of these guys.

Looks like he's had it off when sky and matchroom where after him.

Plenty of time on his side though.

Manchester Hitman wrote: ↑19 Feb 2023, 09:15 Dreadful fight last night with Allington. All talk of Dalton being an elite talent is nonsense IMO- I’ve felt that way for a while.

I’m not particularly looking forward to the Maxwell fight either, as he’s already been pinged around a few times and got a gift win for the British against that kid (his name escapes me) who couldn’t punch through wet tissue. That was another atrocious fight

Dalton should outclass him but we're probably looking at another snoozer. It's about creating hype around yourself at this point and Dalton just isn't doing it is he.

I may put a few pounds on Maxwell to win. He was a good amateur. I dont get the hype

Dalton is better than Maxwell but he's gaining a reputation as someone terrible to watch. He really stunk the place out last night.

Smith is a tidy boxer but his lack of punch power and desire to finish will hold him back.

He landed some good shots on Allington but the fact he took them fine is worrying. As is Smith’s inability to go through the gears.

I saw some comparing him to a young Kell Brook. Not in terms of style of fighting, just as in the next top fighter to come from Sheffield. Really disagree with it as Brook would have had someone at English title level out inside of 2 rounds.

maverick23 wrote: ↑20 Feb 2023, 03:31 Smith is a tidy boxer but his lack of punch power and desire to finish will hold him back.

He landed some good shots on Allington but the fact he took them fine is worrying. As is Smith’s inability to go through the gears.

I saw some comparing him to a young Kell Brook. Not in terms of style of fighting, just as in the next top fighter to come from Sheffield. Really disagree with it as Brook would have had someone at English title level out inside of 2 rounds.

McIntyre, Lomax were probably better than Allington.

I find it very difficult to watch this guy.

mickey1975 wrote: ↑20 Feb 2023, 03:50

maverick23 wrote: ↑20 Feb 2023, 03:31 Smith is a tidy boxer but his lack of punch power and desire to finish will hold him back.

He landed some good shots on Allington but the fact he took them fine is worrying. As is Smith’s inability to go through the gears.

I saw some comparing him to a young Kell Brook. Not in terms of style of fighting, just as in the next top fighter to come from Sheffield. Really disagree with it as Brook would have had someone at English title level out inside of 2 rounds.

McIntyre, Lomax were probably better than Allington.

They definitely were better than Allington and they looked like they had no business being in there with Kell.

I didn’t mind Smith’s performance against Benjamin as I think Benjamin is underrated but anyone with aspirations of being world class should be taking Allington out fairly easily.

He’s gonna get boo’d out of Sheffield Arena at this rate..

mickey1975 wrote: ↑20 Feb 2023, 03:50

maverick23 wrote: ↑20 Feb 2023, 03:31 Smith is a tidy boxer but his lack of punch power and desire to finish will hold him back.

He landed some good shots on Allington but the fact he took them fine is worrying. As is Smith’s inability to go through the gears.

I saw some comparing him to a young Kell Brook. Not in terms of style of fighting, just as in the next top fighter to come from Sheffield. Really disagree with it as Brook would have had someone at English title level out inside of 2 rounds.

McIntyre, Lomax were probably better than Allington.

McIntyre was the British champion who was controversially stripped because of injury. Kell was only 22 years old when he smashed him.

It's weird how they are trying to make out Smith to be a huge banger. He carries a bit of pop but still

He has got some stoppages on his record because the fights have been too one side, but he has no dig at all.
Nevertheless that is nothing against his quality just means he will always have to go the long route.

Coco wrote: ↑20 Feb 2023, 09:05 He has got some stoppages on his record because the fights have been too one side, but he has no dig at all.
Nevertheless that is nothing against his quality just means he will always have to go the long route.

He's admiring his work and happy to do very little at times. It definitely feels like he can get the stoppages and get them earlier.

I'm already at a point of not really caring whether I watch his next fight or not. That's not the kind of hype they want in a prospect. He's going to have to start going for it more. You can't headline arenas with the kind of performances he's been having.

NoSmokeSport has confirmed this fight won’t land on April 29 in Sheffield anymore due to Smith’s cut.