One of the most exciting Lightweights in the UK returns this weekend as Dalton Smith takes on Mathieu Germain.
Smith has been one of the most talked about fighters in the division for the past few years and is looking to add another name to his 17-0 record. The Steel City trained boxer is the WBC mandatory for Alberto Puello but has decided to take this fight to stay ready and fit when his world title opportunity comes. Smith has been on fire finishing his last 3 opponents within 7 rounds including a massive win against Jose Zepeda. Smith is looking to move on to world honours but has to get past Mathieu Germain first.
Mathieu Germain is 26-2-1 fighting exclusively out of Canada and has competed for multiple North American titles. A win against Smith will fire Germain’s career into the stratosphere and create a star. Germain will be a risk to Smith’s potential world title hopes and has got some punch power with 2 finishes in his last 3 fights. Germain’s best results have been a draw and eventual win against Steve Claggett, ex Teofimo Lopez opponent.
The two will battle out in the Park Community Arena, Sheffield a homecoming for Dalton Smith which Mathieu Germain is looking to upset.
Tasty Undercard-
The undercard for the return to Sheffield for Matchroom looks very tasty with a few stars on the bill.
The first is the co-main which sees Ryan Kelly take on the late replacement unbeaten prospect Caoimhin Agyarko. Ishmael Davies was the original opponent for Kelly but had to pull out due to injury.
Giorgio Visioli takes on Kane Baker in a massive step up for Visioli who is fast tracked to become a Matchroom star. Baker has been a gatekeeper for the UK featherweight division and will look to test the Repton boxing star.
Josh Warrington returns after contemplating retirement in his last fight against Anthony Cacace. He takes his large travelling fanbase to Sheffield to take on Asad Asif Khan.
Josh Padley makes his Matchroom debut after earning the contract by stepping in on a few days notice in Riyadh against Shakur Stevenson. Padley’s stock skyrocketed going 9 rounds with Stevenson on minimal notice.
The prelims show also sees Joe Howarth and Emmanuel Buttigieg return to face Mario Portillo and Grant Dennis.
Dalton Smith Vs Mathieu Germain Full Card-
Dalton Smith (17-0-0) Vs Mathieu Germain (26-2-1) WBC Silver Super Lightweight- Dalton Smith Via Unanimous Decision
Josh Warrington (34-4-1) Vs Asad Asif Khan (19-6-1)-Josh Warrington Via Unanimous Decision
Josh Padley (15-1-0) Vs Marko Cvetanovic (13-0-0)-Josh Padley Via TKO In Round 5
Ryan Kelly (19-5-1) Vs Caoimhin Agyarko (16-0-0)- Caoimhin Agyarko Via Majority Decision
Giorgio Visioli (6-0-0) Vs Kane Baker (19-11-2)- Giorgio Visioli Via 4th Round Referee Stoppage
Joe Howarth (11-1-0) Vs Mario Valenzuela Portillo(8-6-2)- Joe Howarth Via Unanimous Decision
Emmanuel Buttigieg (7-0-0) Vs Grant Dennis (19-10-0)-Buttigieg Via 5th Round TKO
Live Updates-
Dalton Smith Defeats Mathieu Germain Via Unanimous Decision
Dalton Smith puts a near perfect performance in what’s being labeled the fight before the fight. Smith knocked down Germain 3 times but the Canadian somehow survives the whole 12 rounds.
Round 12-
A real cat and mouse ending to this fight Smith really chasing the finish but Smith dropped Germain with 30 seconds remaining but gets up and survives to the end of the 12 rounds.
Giant low blow from Dalton Smith which ends in a point deduction from Smith who was over eager and acknowledged the low blow as soon as it happened.
Germain used a large amount of his given 5 mins for the low blow.
Round 11-
A right hand drops Germain as he was leaning back, more of a flash knockdown but solidifies Smiths dominant performance.
Germain running round the ring as Smith points to the centre and says come fight even walking round the ring with his hands by his side.
Round 10-
Dominance continues for Smith who is really trying to take a frustrating Germain out.
Round 9-
Smith really finding his best shots when he can fire combinations and cutting off the ring well, Germain is tiring after the Canadian has been moving constantly.
Round 8-
Smith fires a shot at Germain whilst the Canadian was very low down which pushes Germain outside the ring. A little telling off for Smith from the referee.
The Sheffield man carries on with his dominance firing a whipping body shot which buckles the knees of Germain for a second.
Round 7-
The combinations working well for Smith when he cuts off the ring and corners Germain.
Dalton Smith starting to really find his range throwing some uppercuts he’s well known for.
60-53 for all the Guest judges in favour of Dalton Smith.
Round 6-
The body is now a big target that Smith is finding really consistently. He finds another hook which gets the crowd going after a flat last few rounds.
Round 5-
Warning of a low blow for Smith who catches just under the belt line of Germain. Another low shot from Smith who is chasing the Canadian round the ring and over stretching a little low.
Despite the low blows Smith looks very sharp and a whisker away from landing that bomb to finish it.
Round 4-
Smith sharpshooting teeing off on the Canadian with Germain almost running for cover and grabbing hold of Smith wherever he can.
Whenever Germain does trade he finds some success but his punch power having no effect on Smith.
Round 3-
Another huge shot from Smith, this time a right uppercut which wobbles Germain.
Smith stalking his prey throwing some big shots looking to hurt Germain. Germain fighting back attempting to trade with Smith but ends up on the wrong end.
Round 2-
Smith knocks down Germain with a massive left hook, flush to the chin but Germain is saved by the round ending.
Smith catches Germain with a huge hook backing the Canadian up. Big right hand counter too for Smith which warns Germain.
Round 1-
Cagey start with Germain moving around the ring well but Smith staying patient finding a little bit of success. Germain warned by the referee after lifting the leg of Smith whilst clinching.
Josh Warrington Defeats Asad Asif Khan Via Unanimous Decision-
Round 10-
Warrington wins every round but not the star studded finish he wanted.
Round 9-
Both fighters seem to be feeling the length of the fight. Throwing single shots but Warrington having a shutout based on the three guest judges.
Round 8-
Warrington woken up by an uppercut from Khan but Josh bounces back firing a right hand which backs Khan up. Both look like they are going through the motions at the end of the 8th.
Round 7-
Khan really digging in showing lots of heart and grit but Warrington continues his onslaught finding the head of Khan constantly.
All three on the panel have it 60-52 including a 10-7 last round due to the knockdown and point deduction.
Round 6-
Warrington drops Khan with a giant right hook. Warrington looks a lot more composed and calm in the ring now catching Khan with left and right hooks which has left Khan unsteady.
Point deducted for Khan after the gum shield comes out once again.
Round 5-
Khan looked better catching Warrington with a left hook but the lost his gum shield which threw his defence out the window. Warrington took advantage by landing a right hook which saw Khan backed up scrambling but was saved by the referee who interjected to retrieve the gum shield.
Khan also has a cut under his left eye on the cheek which has caused a lot of problems for the Indian.
All three guest judges had the fight 40-36 for Warrington but have mentioned his frustrations.
Round 4-
A lot uglier 4th round with much of it dominated by holding and tussling. Warrington looking rather aggressive and frustrated but can’t seem to find the clean shots.
Round 3-
Third is starting to warm up with Khan sitting and trading with Warrington. Neither finding much success on the offensive side but Warrington found a few hooks which hit the target.
Round 2-
The second sees Khan do a lot better but still on the back foot losing out on the most of the exchanges. Warrington looks slightly less confident and a little stiff at times but is warming up better.
Round 1-
Josh Warrington landed the only real decent shot of the first round which was a piercing right hook to the body which Khan took well.
Warrington comes out the aggressor pushing Khan back with Khan tussling and clinching. Warrington has brought his famous crowd with him who are in full voice.
Josh Padley Defeats Marko Cvetanovic Via TKO In Round 5
Round 5 saw Padley fire some great combinations sending Cvetanovic to the canvas not once but twice ending in referee Steve Gray calling the fight off.
Josh Padley started the fight fast and using his good footwork to spin off of Cvetanovic and fire some great combinations.
Padley looked better and better as he warmed through the rounds keeping Cvetanovic to minimal if any success at all, Padley using some great work inside firing both to the body and head with some strength.
What a story for Padley, his first fight as a full time professional ends in a giant finish in front of great support. Padley is now WBA International champion which puts him in good stead with world rankings.
Caoimhin Agyarko Defeats Ryan Kelly Via Majority Decision
95-95 97-94 96-94
Late replacement Caoimhin Agyarko defeats Ryan Kelly after a hard fought fight which was a lot closer than expected.
Caoimhin Agyarko after being cut really took control of the fight firing some massive hooks to the body and head.
Confidence grew from Kelly between the 3rd and 5th rounds, really putting the pressure on Caoimhin Agyarko who was on the back foot but counter punched well.
Kelly used the body shots well disguising a body shot into a right hand which cut the left eye of Caoimhin Agyarko in the 5th round.
A great 50/50 fight Ryan Kelly using his experience and fired the more educated shots closing the range to Agyarko. Caoimhin Agyarko on the other hand fired the harder shots with even amounts of activity.
Before The Bell Results-
Giorgio Visioli Defeats Kane Baker Via 4th Round Referee Stoppage
Giorgio Visioli showed his talent and punch power once again by stopping the usually tough Kane Baker. A final flurry of shots came and the referee had seen enough.
Buttigieg Defeats Grant Dennis Via 5th Round TKO
Buttigieg puts on a punch perfect performance ending the fight in the 5th round with a left hook to the body finishing Grant Dennis.
Joe Howarth Defeats Portillo Via Unanimous Decision
Howarth looked comfortable clean shots landing including a body hook hurting Portillo and a right straight shot which wobbled his opponent.
Joe Howarth, former Area Title holder, looked good showed a lot of variation against a survival first opponent and with trainer/manager Dave Allen he will look to move further on.
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