Matchroom brings its most important event of the year to Sheffield, with Dalton Smith headlining the show in what may prove to be the most challenging fight of his career. Despite his flawless journey to becoming one of Britain’s most promising talents, the 27-year-old is about to face his ultimate test, as it happens in any successful career.
He has successfully handled all contenders within his country, securing the British super-lightweight title without dispute. Nevertheless, his aspirations have always extended far beyond that achievement. However, in order to advance to the international stage, he must overcome an opponent who has been competing at the highest level of the division for almost ten years.
Jose Zepeda, a 34-year-old professional boxer with a record of 37 wins, 4 losses, and 28 knockouts, has become widely known as the perennial contender in his weight division. Unfortunately, his quest for a world title has been met with disappointment, as he has suffered defeats in all three of his world title bouts thus far. These setbacks began in the summer of 2015 and have continued to shape his career.
On his second trip to England, he had a perfect record of 23 wins and no losses. However, during his match against Terry Flanagan at the Manchester Velodrome, the fight was abruptly halted after only two rounds due to Zepeda dislocating his shoulder. Despite this setback, he worked hard to recover and continue his career. Unfortunately, four years later, he suffered another defeat, this time against Jose Carlos Ramirez in Fresno, California. Later, in 2022, he faced Regis Prograis, who ultimately won the match in the 11th round by stoppage.
Smith described Zepeda as someone with extensive experience and a long history of competing at the global level. He acknowledged the support he receives from his fans, emphasizing his desire to push his own limits and deliver an outstanding performance for them. Smith expressed his hope that Zepeda would provide him with the ideal opportunity to do so.
Is Zepeda’s drop in the rankings and his previous loss against Richardson Hitchins an indication of his decline as a fighter? Saturday night’s fight will shed more light on this matter.
Smith and his father-trainer Grant are determined to achieve world titles and have set their sights on defeating Zepeda to elevate ‘Thunder’s’ reputation in the division and gain attention overseas.
Smith expressed, “This fight is an impeccable challenge and the most demanding examination I have faced in my career. In 2024, I anticipate a breakthrough year where I will make a mark on the international stage, surpassing the boundaries of domestic success, and introducing the world to the name Dalton Smith. I aspire to elevate my career, and I believe this year holds the key to achieving that. By defeating Jose Zepeda, I will ascend to the next level and establish my presence on a higher pedestal.”
Smith has achieved 11 stoppages out of his 15 wins and delivered an impressive knockout in his most recent fight, where he defeated Sam Maxwell in the seventh round. If Smith secures another victory within the distance, it would make a significant statement. However, it is predicted that Smith will win comfortably on the scorecards.
Sandy Ryan’s defense of her WBO welterweight title against Terri Harper is the exceptional all-British showdown, marking the only women’s fight on the bill.
Ryan, who is 30 years old, claimed the vacant belt in Cardiff a year ago by defeating Marie Pier Houle. In September, she managed to retain the title through a split draw against Jessica McCaskill. Harper, on the other hand, is a more seasoned professional but is three years younger than Ryan. After a successful three-fight stint in the light-middleweight division, which resulted in her winning the WBA strap, Harper is now moving back down to welterweight.
Ryan enters the fight with a lot of excitement and mystery surrounding her. She has made significant changes to her team since her last fight, including a new manager, trainer, and even moving to America. These changes were prompted by her draw against McCaskill, and it has everyone intrigued to see how it will impact her performance.
Ryan expressed his satisfaction with his decision to spend the final four weeks of his training camp here before his previous fight. He found the people in the gym to be friendly and welcoming, and they quickly developed a good rapport. Their warm reception and camaraderie convinced him that returning was a wise choice.
Choosing a winner becomes incredibly challenging, particularly given the intense nature of the ten frantic two-minute rounds. Both fighters enter this match having previously ended in draws, and it is highly probable that another draw will occur again.
Tonight is a monumental evening for Campbell Hatton’s career as he steps into the ring for his inaugural professional title fight. Going head-to-head against the Central Area light-welterweight champion, Jimmy Joe Flint, this will also mark his first 10-round bout.
Hatton, at the age of 23, boasts an impressive record of 14 wins and no losses, with five knockouts. Notably, four of those victories have come in his last six fights, indicating his growing prowess as a professional boxer. His upcoming match against Flint signifies another challenging milestone for Hatton, as Flint earned his title by defeating the previously unbeaten Joe Garside a year ago. It’s worth noting that Hatton hasn’t competed since his triumph over Jamie Sampson in October.
This fight has the potential to be the most entertaining bout on the card, as both men have similar styles and are willing to engage in close combat. Despite being the defending champion, Flint realizes that defeating Hatton would bring him significant recognition. Nevertheless, Hatton, who continually enhances his skills, can exhibit resilience and secure the victory by earning points to claim the belt.
When the undefeated Leeds boxer, Ishmael Davis, goes up against the returning Troy Williamson in a 12-round super-welterweight match, fireworks are expected to ignite.
After suffering two losses in his past three matches, including a recent defeat to Caoimhin Agyarko, Williamson managed to secure a modest six-round victory over Ramiro Blanco. However, he understands that a win against Davis could be the boost his career requires.
The Black Panther has achieved six stoppages out of his 12 wins. Although he has mainly faced journeymen in his career, his recent victory over the undefeated Ewan Mackenzie, who held an 8-0 record, stands out as the most significant accomplishment. This win also extended his knockout streak to four. Taking on Williamson will prove to be a further challenge for the 28-year-old fighter hailing from Yorkshire, and it may be a hurdle too difficult to overcome.
In another location, the talented Mansfield super-bantamweight, Nico Leivars, is making his mark by competing in his third consecutive 10-round fight under the Matchroom brand in Sheffield. At the age of 24, Leivars trains at the Steel City Gym under the guidance of Grant Smith and has consistently been featured in Dalton’s undercard events.
In July, he engaged in a boxing match with Alberto Motos that lasted over six rounds. Three months later, he faced Ryan Walker and triumphed after eight rounds, although he endured cuts over both eyes. Now, it is Southend’s former Southern Area champion Mirga who stands in his path. This will be a challenging bout for Leivars, but he is expected to secure victory through points.
In addition, the card features a group of three early six-rounders. Connan Murray, a Yorkshire middleweight with a flawless record of 7-0, will be showcasing his skills. Likewise, Emmanuel Buttigieg aims to maintain his perfect record as he steps into the light-middleweight ring against Bartlomiej Stryczek, striving to secure his third victory and reach 3-0.
Liam Cameron, a light heavyweight fighter from Sheffield, is making a remarkable comeback in his career. After facing a four-year ban in 2018 due to a positive test for a small trace of a cocaine metabolite, the 33-year-old took a break from the ring. However, he has now returned for his third fight, marking his debut on a significant platform.
THE VERDICT – A good test for Smith that, in reality, will surely prove to be shrewd matchmaking.
