Dalton Smith’s Ambitions: Hillsborough Dream Fight on the Horizon
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Dalton Smith Eyes Hillsborough Stadium for Future Title Fight
Dalton Smith, fresh off a stunning victory that crowned him the new WBC super-lightweight champion, is setting his sights on a dream fight at Hillsborough Stadium. The Sheffield native is gearing up for a homecoming bout this summer against mandatory challenger Alberto Puello, hoping to make his stadium aspirations a reality in the near future.
Key Highlights
- Smith won the WBC title in January.
- He plans to defend his title against Puello in Sheffield this summer.
- The fighter dreams of headlining at Hillsborough Stadium.
- Smith feels ready for the top names in the division.
“That would be a dream come true. That would be the cherry on top of the cake,” Smith expressed during an interview. His determination to host a major fight at Hillsborough is palpable, as he emphasized, “The ball’s rolling in the right direction to get a big fight there. But one fight at a time.” The champion is aware that while he’s not headlining yet, each step he takes brings him closer to that goal.
Looking ahead, Smith expects his next bout against Puello to take place around June, although nothing is signed just yet. “I love an awkward southpaw… That’s Puello’s style,” he commented. Smith has been preparing meticulously, having done training camps focused on Puello’s unique fighting style. “He’s nothing that’s going to catch us off guard,” he asserted confidently.
With his recent victory over Subriel Matias, where Smith scored a spectacular fifth-round stoppage, the champion feels he’s on the right path. The fight was not without its challenges, as Matias tested positive for a banned substance before their showdown. However, the match went on, allowing Smith to showcase his skills. “We knew we were going to get in a firefight, you do with Matias. As funny as it is, that’s the way to beat him. People said we were mad thinking that. But sometimes you’ve just got to find ways to win,” he reflected.
Smith’s focus now shifts to retaining his title, which could lead him to face some of the biggest names in the super-lightweight division, including Shakur Stevenson and Teofimo Lopez. “The only thing I need to do is keep on winning and those big fights will be there,” he stated. The world champion feels a renewed sense of ambition, asserting that his journey is far from over. “In a way the pressure’s off, I’ve become a world champion. But it doesn’t mean the ambition’s less. I’m more hungry than ever. There’s a lot more I can go on to achieve,” he concluded, leaving fans eager to see what’s next for this rising star in boxing.
