I was really impressed by Dalton Smith’s performance last weekend when he stopped Jose Zepeda in just five rounds with an incredible body shot.
The match remained evenly contested until its stoppage, demonstrating Smith’s ability to compete at the world level and deliver a decisive blow when necessary. It was a pleasant surprise to witness his immediate call-out for a bout against European super-lightweight champion Adam Azim. It is all too common for young fighters to shy away from each other, using excuses like “building the fight” or waiting for a world title opportunity before facing off.
Currently, numerous talented fighters opt for less challenging matchups in order to reach the pinnacle of their sport through the easiest path possible. However, this approach often results in missing out on valuable lessons necessary to compete against the absolute best. When considering a potential bout between the boxers from Team Smith and Team Azim, some may argue that it is premature in their respective careers. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that such a match can only bring positive outcomes, even for the individual who emerges as the loser.
This demonstrates their readiness to handle challenging tasks, as well as their willingness to gain knowledge from not only the battle itself but also the entire spectrum of events that come with it. This includes handling media attention, fulfilling press obligations, managing heightened pressure, coping with expectations, and much more.
If they engage in a fight, it will greatly benefit them if they later advance to compete for world titles on a grander platform. The case in point occurred in 2011 with the clash between James DeGale and George Groves. Despite meeting early on in their careers, they both achieved remarkable success and became world champions. While we are aware that Smith and his team are ready for the challenge, it remains to be seen if Team Azim is equally prepared.
This weekend, we are treated to an intriguing heavyweight showdown between Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke.
Clarke and his counterpart had completely contrasting boxing backgrounds. While Clarke had a remarkable amateur career, spending 12 years on the GB squad and competing globally, his journey reached its pinnacle at the Tokyo Olympics, where he proudly secured a Silver Medal.
Despite never having an amateur bout and only participating in white collar boxing before transitioning to a professional career, Wardley’s impressive performance and better résumé as a pro suggest that he may be the obvious winner this weekend. While it is challenging to predict the outcome, Wardley’s extensive experience in professional boxing makes him the likely candidate to retain his title as the British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion.
