Dalton Smith Now Mandatory for World Title
Dalton Smith fresh of his winning the European super lightweight title back in January. Which he then vacated, has been mandated for the WBC World super lightweight title.
Smith Now WBC Mandatory
The WBC governors have voted in favour of appointing Dalton Smith as the mandatory challenger for the WBC title.
This comes after Dalton Smith won the vacant European super lightweight title in January. Smith stopped his opponent Walid Ouizza in just one round in a devastating display.
March 1 sees Sandor Martin take on Alberto Puello for the WBC World super lightweight title. The WBC have confirmed the winner will be allowed one voluntary defence before taking on their mandatory.
Smith is still expected to have at least one or two fights before he gets called. Many agree with this as Dalton needs a fresh challenge and step up before taking a world title shot.
Smith-Azim Chances Slimmed?
This could slim the chances of us seeing Dalton Smith vs Adam Azim soon. Smith will want wanting to push on and secure this title shot.
However, Adam Azim did enter the 140 WBC rankings at number 11 last week after picking up the IBO world title in his win versus Sergey Lipinets just two weeks ago.
Last week Eddie Hearn did express that he will take a step back with Dalton if it meant taking the domestic clash with Adam Azim next. So there is still hope for the massive domestic grudge match.
However Ben Shalom still seems to want the fight to ‘marinate’ rather then letting them fight. However he did say every fight Azim wins his chances are rising, and he’s currently ahead of Dalton Smith.
Ben Shalom said:
“It’s frustrating because I really like Dalton Smith. He’s got nothing to do with this. He’s not even saying anything. They both just want to get on with their careers. Let them get on. Let them develop. Let’s get behind them both. They’re both British fighters that we should get behind and they will fight. They’ll fight at the right time.”
However Eddie Hearn strongly disagrees with the marinating comments and the ‘right time’ comments. He believes the fight should be made now rather than it be too late.
It now seems Dalton Smith has the upper hand in negotiations as the new world title opportunity has opened up to him.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
