Dalton Smith eyes big names after Zepeda win

Boxing

Matchroom Boxing CEO Frank Smith has said a clash between the UK’s Dalton Smith and American Regis Prograis is one of several “amazing fights” they’re looking to make after the Sheffield boxer’s win over Jose Zepeda on Saturday.

Smith (16-0, 12 KOs) beat Zepeda by knockout in the fifth round after a powerful shot to the body left the Mexican reeling.

The win puts the 27-year-old in line for some big fights after he claimed the WBC silver title at 140 pounds, with plenty of options on the table.

Prograis (29-2 24 KOs), who was beaten convincingly by Devin Haney in his last fight, is also represented by Matchroom.

“Let’s see where he lands in the rankings to see how far away he is from fighting for a world title, but Regis Prograis is a great fight, that would be an amazing fight,” Frank Smith told ESPN.

“We represent Regis as well but that would show the level that Dalton Smith is at. But there’s lots of big fights to be made, let’s see.

“Dalton’s got everything he needs [and] at the end of the day it comes down to performances. People want to be entertained and Dalton has been entertaining people. That performance on Saturday night was a special finish.”

While his dream is a bout at Hillsborough, the home ground of Sheffield Wednesday, fighting in the U.S. is also on Dalton Smith’s bucket list.

“My number one target is to crack Hillsborough, have a big fight there, but having an away day in America is every fighter’s dream also,” Smith told ESPN.

“I’ve got many years in my career and some great things I want to achieve and going over there to America is definitely on the cards.”

After beating Zepeda, Smith called out fellow Brit Adam Azim, with the pair ordered to fight for the latter’s European title.

However, the Azim camp have yet to agree to the fight or vacate the belt.

“I think the reality is they [Azim’s team] wanted to see how Saturday went and hoped he lost, but then actually he came out in spectacular fashion, and it puts him off taking the fight even more,” Frank Smith said.

“But unfortunately it’s more embarrassing now they’ve left it another three weeks to pull him out the fight. I’m not in any way saying we don’t want to see the fight, just more looking at the reality.”

Dalton Smith is also growing impatient.

“I’ve got nothing personal against Adam, I actually like Adam, it’s just if you’re not fighting just vacate the title — it’s no big deal,” Dalton Smith said.

“I’m not fussed if he wants to vacate the title that’s fine, I’ll fight somebody else for it. Just make a decision.”

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