Dalton “Thunder” Smith is set to face Jose Zepeda on the 23rd of March 2024 at the Utilita Arena in his home town of Sheffield.
Following the release of Eddie Hearn‘s Matchroom boxing schedule for the first quarter of 2024. It has being revealed that Dalton Smith will headline the Utilita Arena for the second time in his professional career. Smith will face veteran of the sport Jose Zepeda. The Mexican American who began his professional career in 2009 has amassed a total of 37 wins from 43 fights. Impressively 28 of those wins come by way of knockout. Although, the southpaw fighter is coming off a loss in his last fight against Richardson Hitchens in September 2023. Zepeda is by far the more experienced fighter. Having shared the ring with marquee names of the 140 pound division including the very highly regarded Regis Prograis. Zepeda was eventually stopped in the 11th round.
Who is Dalton Smith?
Dalton “Thunder” Smith is Sheffield’s most successful amateur boxer. Smith won a silver medal at the 2014 European Youth Championships and a bronze medal in the 2015 Commonwealth Games. He then went on to win the ABA Championship in 2018 in the Light Welterweight division. In 2019 Smith turned his hand to the professional ranks. Under the close watch of the highly regarded award-winning trainer Grant Smith. Who also happens to be the Father of Dalton Smith and the owner of the Steel City Gym based in Darnall, Sheffield. Sharing the gym with a huge amount of talent, including former IBF World Champion, Sunny Edwards, undefeated Super Middleweight Lerrone Richards and upcoming prospect Junaid Bostan.
During his professional career Smith has totaled 15 wins out of 15 fights. 11 of those wins have come by way of knockout. Most recently beating Sam Maxwell by a stunning knockout in the 7th round. Successfully defending his British Super-Lightweight title for the third time and retaining the Lonsdale belt. Smith also gained the Commonwealth belt. Adding to his collection that already includes the WBA Super-Lightweight Inter-continental belt and the WBC International Silver Super-Lightweight belt. Impressive when taking into account the 26 year old has only fought 15 times in his professional career.
The Potential
Smith will face the biggest test by far of his career on the 23rd of March 2024. Zepeda is an opponent who has almost twice as many knockouts as Smith has had fights and has only tasted defeat four times as a professional. If Smith pulls of the win, then there is no doubt this will propel him up the rankings with all four of the major governing bodies. Leaving the door open for some huge nights of boxing. Potentially leading to a world title shot and bringing big time boxing to Sheffield. Dalton Smith has already acquired quite the following and has all the tools to take over Kell Brook as Sheffield’s star of boxing.
If Smith does pull of the win, no doubt this will leave boxing fans clamouring for the Dalton Smith vs Adam Azim. Boxxer’s Super Lightweight protégé who has also taken the division by storm, becoming the youngest British fighter to win a European Championship. Although with the ongoing legal dispute between Boxxer and Matchroom. The likelihood of seeing this fight in the near future appears to be low.
The Undercard
Sandy Ryan puts her WBO World Welterweight Championship on the line. In the opposite corner is Doncaster’s own Terri Harper in the co-main event. With both fighters opting for a come forward style this is guaranteed to be fireworks in the Utilita Arena. Ryan is coming off of a controversial draw against Jessica McCaskill and will be looking to stamp her authority on the fight and win in style. With a potential to set up a unification fight in the second half of 2024. Harper, the current WBA and IBO Super-welterweight champion will be looking to become a three-weight world champion. Harper has formally held the IBO and WBC Super-featherweight world championships.
Campbell Hatton also features on the card. He will look to pick up Super-Lightweight Central Area Championship in his 15th fight. Hatton the son of boxing great Ricky Hatton, will take on the current champion Jimmy-Joe Flint. This will be Hatton’s first shot at a title in his professional career. Flint will be looking to hand Hatton his first defeat in the professional ranks and gain that ever so important exposure on a big fight card.
Ishmael Davis also looks to defend his unbeaten record against the dangerous fighter Troy Williamson. Williamson will be looking to return to winning ways after he was on the wrong side of a split decision loss to Caoimhin Agyarko in Belfast. This represents a step-up for Davis and respect must be given to both fighter’s for agreeing take this fight and not seeking out easier opportunities.
The card on the 23rd of March looks set to light up the Utilita Arena, with risks being taken by all fighters and fits very much into Eddie Hearn’s newest mantra, “No easy fights.”
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
