Smith To Show His Steel In Sheffield Homecoming? Dalton Smith vs Sam Maxwell - A Preview
A compelling fight for the British and Commonwealth Super-Lightweight titles takes centre stage in Sheffield this weekend. Hometown hero, Dalton Smith, puts his Lonsdale Belt on the line as Sam Maxwell challenges the steel city man for a title he formerly held less than two years ago. Cliché it may be, but British title fights never fail to disappoint!
Dalton Smith comes into this fight looking to win the British Title outright, having already defended the belt on two occasions after winning it back in August last year. The 26-year-old won the belt 11 months ago after knocking out Sam O’Maison in the sixth round of their contest for the vacant Lonsdale belt at 140-pounds.
Since then, ‘Thunder’ has defended the coveted British Title on two occasions - first against Kaissee Benjamin, then last time out against Billy Allington. Now, the Sheffield man has the chance to win the belt outright in front of his hometown crowd. What a moment that would be for Smith. To win the British Title outright, in front of your own fans, with your Dad in the corner… it doesn’t get much better than that!
Standing in the champion’s way is a man who formerly held the same belt - Sam Maxwell. The Liverpool super-lightweight is a far more seasoned fighter, who has a wealth of experience at British level and beyond. Maxwell is without a doubt the toughest test of Smith’s career so far, and will be supremely confident of upsetting the apple cart this weekend and silencing the rowdy Sheffield crowd on his travels down to Yorkshire.
Dalton Smith Is The Current British Super-Lightweight Champion, A Belt Sam Maxwell Formerly Held Less Than Two Years Ago (Photo: Bad Left Hook)
‘Super Sam’ has stepped into the professional ring 18 times, winning 17 fights. This includes 11 big wins by way of knockout. Given that Maxwell has been about for longer than his English counterpart, he has won more prestigious titles too. The 34-year-old won the British Title, the same one that Dalton Smith now has, as well as capturing the Commonwealth 140-pound strap back in 2021 after defeating Akeem Ennis-Brown on points.
The fight was super-close, with many people believing Ennis-Brown had perhaps done enough to defend his belts. However, that wasn’t to be as Maxwell celebrated winning two of the most coveted belts in the super-lightweight division outside of European and World level. Prior to that, Maxwell also beat the likes of Joe Hughes, Connor Parker and Sabri Sediri for the WBO European Super-Lightweight Title.
Maxwell did of course dare to be great when stepping up to world level last year. He challenged Alejandro Meneses for the vacant IBO World Super-Lightweight Title at the Echo Arena in his hometown of Liverpool. It wasn’t to be the fairy-tale ending for Maxwell in the end however, losing via knockout in the ninth round. Now, the scouser aims to win back two belts he has already captured previously.
Although the experience and seasoning favours Sam Maxwell, the skills and talent are most definitely with Dalton Smith. Many boxing fans are tipping Smith to be a future world champion, perhaps even as soon as next year. Of course, he is a long way away from that right now, but it isn’t entirely out of the question that Eddie Hearn could somehow put a world title shot in front of him within the next 12-18 months.
Dalton Smith Is One Of Britain's Hottest Prospects (Photo: Yorkshire Post)
Prior to all the chat about world titles and potential British PPV super-fights with Adam Azim in the coming years, Dalton Smith has a job to do on Saturday night. It will by no means be an easy night for ‘Thunder’, but it is one he is a favourite in and should be winning if he is as talented as we all think he is. Maxwell will give it a right good go, but at 34 and on the road against a younger, fitter, stronger and more skilful fighter, he is firmly up against it.
Yes, this is the toughest test of Dalton Smith’s career, but he should be passing this test with flying colours. If we are to believe the likes of IBF World Flyweight Champion Sunny Edwards, his gym mate, then Smith should be dealing with Maxwell comfortably. Again, his dad and world class boxing trainer, Grant Smith, believes his son has what it takes to go all the way.
If this is indeed the case, then Saturday night could well and truly be the coming out party for Dalton Smith. Can he deal with the expectation and pressure of headlining in front of his hometown crowd with the chance to win the British title outright against your toughest opponent to date? I guess we’ll find out this weekend…
Fighter’s Form:
Dalton Smith (14-0, 10 KOs)
Billy Allington - WIN - UD (119-108, 119-108, 120-107)
Kaissee Benjamin - WIN - UD (117-112, 116-113, 115-114)
Sam O’Maison - WIN - TKO Round 6
Mauro Alex Hasan Perouene - WIN - RTD Round 6
Sam Maxwell (17-1, 11 KOs)
Shaun Cooper - WIN - PTS (60-54)
Alejandro Meneses - LOSS - TKO Round 9
Akeem Ennis-Brown - WIN - UD (116-113, 115-114, 116-112)
Ben Fields - WIN - PTS (79-73)
Event Information:
Date: July 1st 2023
Time: Approx. 10.30PM Ring Walk (GMT)
Venue: Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, England, UK
Promoter: Eddie Hearn/Matchroom Boxing (live on DAZN)
Smith v Maxwell Official Fight Poster (Photo: DAZN)
Elsewhere on the undercard in the steel city, hot prospects Hopey Price, Pat McCormack and Junaid Bostan are all in action. The English Lightweight Title is also on the line in an unbeaten clash between Lewis Sylvester and Adam Cope.
Beatriz Ferreira, Cory O’Regan and Nico Leivars are also in action as they bid to gain more experience and find their feet in the pro ranks. This completes the full undercard from the Sheffield Arena on Saturday night, with Smith vs Maxwell for the British & Commonwealth Super Lightweight Titles the headline attraction.