Matchroom Boxing CEO Frank Smith says newly crowned world champion Dalton Smith envisions a higher level than Adam Azim and will “crush him” in the ring.
The 28-year-old from Sheffield continued his undefeated career with a fifth-round knockout of Sabriel Mathias in Brooklyn and won the WBC super lightweight title.
The statement win on foreign soil has fueled speculation about an all-British blockbuster showdown with Azim, but Smith’s promotional team believes such talk is premature and bordering on disrespectful.
Matchroom Boxing’s Frank Smith told Sky Sports, referring to Azim’s decision to vacate the European super-lightweight title in April 2024, voiding his mandatory defense against Smith.
“Now I think it’s wrong to refer to Adam Azim on the level of Dalton Smith. It’s not against Adam Azim. I like him a lot and I think he’s a very good boxer, but he doesn’t do what Dalton Smith did.
“Dalton has followed the traditional path. He won all the belts – England, Great Britain, Commonwealth and Europe – and rose to a commanding position, fought against bogeymen in a class no one wanted to fight, and won a world title away from home.”
Smith, who suffered a cut above his left eye during the fight, is now able to fight from his home in Sheffield.
Asked if Smith would be interested in a fight with Azim, Frank Smith added: “It comes down to what Dalton Smith wants. He’s a world champion who’s had a tough road. He’s done everything that’s been asked of him.”
“You can’t say, ‘Oh, Adam Azim wants to fight now.’ I’m sure he does! He didn’t want to fight when he was ordered to.
“We’re promoting Dalton Smith and our focus is on him. Our job is to give him the best fight possible, the biggest opportunity.
“If the Adam Azim fight is a big fight in a year’s time, would it be a fight to watch? That’s for sure. But it depends on Dalton Smith. At the end of the day, the Adam Azim fight doesn’t really matter.
“If Adam Azim were to win a world title, it would be a big unification fight. And again, that’s not diminishing him in any way. I think he’s a very good fighter. I think he has a big future, but right now he’s not at Dalton’s level.”
As for his fighter’s performance, he added: “Dalton Smith will shatter Adam Azim. There’s no doubt about it. All day long.”
Smith is undefeated as a professional, currently 19-0.
As for Dalton Smith’s next step schedule, Frank Smith has expressed interest in defeating the mandatory challenger for the WBC belt, as well as securing a possible unification fight with the winner of Shakur Stevenson vs. Teofimo Lopez.
He also revealed that the wheels are in motion for Dalton Smith’s summer return to Sheffield at Hillsborough, the home of Sheffield Wednesday.
“We have Shakur vs. Teofimo coming up on January 31st. It’s a massive fight to unify with the winner of that,” he added.
“Obviously at some point a WBC appearance with Alberto Puello is mandatory. Hopefully we can get another fight before then. We want the biggest fights possible and he’s in a position to be involved in those big fights.”
“I think Daylight Saving Time is the most realistic. I’ve been talking to the Hillsboro team about what’s next or what’s in the future, but we’ll see.”
“July at Hillsboro would be perfect. I think that’s the kind of time frame that works perfectly. It’s been a long time, so he’ll want to take some time off from camp, but he’ll be ready to go as soon as the opportunity comes.”
