How world champion Smith can become a mainstream star — SkimNews
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- Dalton Smith defends his WBC light-welterweight title against Alberto Puello on Saturday, following his January upset win over Subriel Matias in New York.
- Tony Bellew compares Smith’s technical precision and timing to Kell Brook, stating he’s one of the best pound-for-pound British fighters and surpasses his own peak as a boxer.
- Alberto Puello presents the toughest challenge of Smith’s career, according to Bellew, due to his southpaw stance, high work rate, and durability despite defensive vulnerabilities.
- Adam Azim is positioned by Bellew as the ideal domestic rival to elevate Smith into the mainstream, with a potential unification fight at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough Stadium generating major public interest.
- Grant Smith, Dalton’s father and trainer, is credited for fostering an open-minded coaching approach that has allowed Dalton to train with multiple experts and refine his technique.
- Eddie Hearn was skeptical that Smith would stop Matias, but Bellew predicted the outcome, underscoring the significance of Smith’s performance in dethroning the previously feared champion.
Why it matters: British boxing has a new technical standout in Dalton Smith, whose next fight against Puello could determine whether he remains a rising elite fighter or ascends to mainstream stardom through a high-profile domestic rivalry with Azim, a path that could unify the division and draw massive public attention if executed at a symbolic venue like Hillsborough.
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