In the largest bout of his career thus far, Dalton Smith illuminated the Sheffield Arena last night (March 23) with a resounding knockout triumph.
In round five, the 27-year-old boxer delivered a powerful right hand to Jose Zepeda’s mid-section, causing immense pain and rendering the Mexican unable to continue. Smith’s triumph not only garnered him recognition on the global platform, but also positioned him among a group of formidable contenders in the highly competitive super-lightweight division.
Smith’s triumph, which headlined an enjoyable card, was another memorable night for the Steel City which has staged plenty over the years. Boxing News looks back at five more unforgettable occasions that took place in the Sheffield Arena.
Joe Calzaghe v Chris Eubank – October 11, 1997
Frank Warren’s “Full Monty” event showcased victories for Paul Ingle, Johnny Nelson, and Naseem Hamed. However, the main highlight of the night was Joe Calzaghe, who had to adapt to a last-minute opponent change. Chris Eubank, a seasoned fighter, replaced Steve Collins but was knocked down by Calzaghe in the first round. Despite an exhilarating battle, Calzaghe emerged victorious and claimed the vacant WBO super-middleweight title through a hard-fought points victory, making it one of the most challenging fights in his career.
Carl Thompson v Chris Eubank 2 – July 18, 1998
Following a grueling 12-round showdown in Manchester three months prior, the two fierce fighters clashed once more for Thompson’s WBO cruiserweight championship. By the end of the ninth round, Eubank had secured the lead on two judges’ scorecards, despite enduring yet another intense brawl. However, referee Paul Thomas had no choice but to halt the fight as Eubank’s left eye was completely shut. Little did they know, this would mark the end of Eubank’s remarkable 13-year career.
Joe Calzaghe v Richie Woodhall – December 16, 2000
The two super-middleweights put their friendship to one side to battle it out in the seventh defence of Calzaghe’s WBO title. Woodhall, a former WBC champion, was down in the final seconds of the ninth following a burst of shots from the champion. Woodhall was under immense pressure at the start of the 10th and an accumulation of rapid-fire punches forced referee Roy Francis to intervene and stop Woodhall’s admirable effort.
Ricky Hatton v Carlos Maussa – November 26, 2005
After a victorious six-round bout on the Thompson-Eubank 2 card, ‘The Hitman’ made a triumphant comeback to the Sheffield Arena after seven years. This time, Hatton emerged as the celebrated figure in British boxing, having defeated Kostya Tszyu. Just five months later, Hatton secured the WBA light-welterweight title in a remarkable fashion, reminiscent of Joe Frazier’s style, by delivering a powerful lunging left hook that knocked out his tricky Colombian opponent in the ninth round. Following this triumph, Hatton embarked on a thrilling four-fight American journey before eventually returning to compete in the UK three years later.
Leigh Wood v Josh Warrington – October 7, 2023
Leigh Wood, now a highly anticipated TV fighter, brought his loyal Nottingham supporters to Sheffield for a showdown against Josh Warrington and his devoted army of fans from Leeds. After six rounds, Warrington seemed poised to claim his third world featherweight championship title, but Wood had different plans. Displaying exceptional endurance and resilience, Wood managed to reach round seven, where he unleashed an extraordinary combination of punches that sent Warrington to the canvas. Referee Michael Alexander promptly intervened and halted the fight, preventing Warrington from carrying on.
