dalton smith (15-0, 11 KOs) made his long-awaited return after not fighting since his impressive seventh-round KO win. Sam Maxwell (17-3, 11 KOs) The fight took place on July 1st at the Sheffield Arena in Smith's hometown of Sheffield.
The undefeated challenger returns to the arena on Saturday for the toughest test of his career to date, taking on the three-time world title challenger and longtime 140-pound challenger. Jose Zepeda (32 wins, 4 losses, 28 KOs).
The former amateur celebrity knows that a victory over Zepeda could catapult him into world title contention and potentially face opponents such as: josh taylor and jack catterall Domestic and Teofimo Lopez, Regis Prograis, Jose Ramirez, Devin Haneyand ryan garcia Internationally.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has his own ambitions for the Sheffield native to win a world title at Hillsborough, home of his beloved Sheffield Wednesday.
“With all due respect to the young fighters who are coming up, he said, [Smith] He’s the only fighter from Sheffield who can hire that arena,” Hearn told IFLTV.
“The fans are there to support him and his dream is to fight for a world boxing championship in Hillsborough. [the Arena bill] is a big part of that process. ”
In his final press conference, Smith admitted he wasn't thinking too far ahead and that Zepeda posed a risk to his undefeated record and world title aspirations.
“We don't see Jose as a sliding fighter,” Smith said. “he [Zepeda] We just lost at the world level. None of these losses are on the decline. That's why we have taken on this fight and prepared to give Jose the ultimate victory. He's only interested in the biggest fights, so his career is on the line for this fight, and this is a step up for me and an opportunity to take my career to a world level. ”
