Briton Smith faces Canadian Mathieu Germain before title bout with Puello.
Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has called Dalton Smith a “world champion in waiting” ahead of the British fighter’s much anticipated clash in Sheffield on Saturday.
Beating Germain would mean Smith would be ‘ready’ for a bout with super lightweight champion Alfredo Puello. The 28 year-old was named the Mandatory Challenger by the WBC in February.
Eddie Hearn says that the key to Smith’s performance is his training preparation alongside his father and coach, Grant.
“Dalton’s very meticulous and he’s a real perfectionist so I think with that in mind, you know that when he’s in these training camps he is preparing to the best of his ability.” he said.
“But, sometimes you see another level in these fighters when they step up and that’s what we believe we will see when we fight [Alberto] Puello as well. I think it will be a business man like performance on Saturday.”
Smith, who is undefeated professionally, won the vacant European EBU title in the first round against Frenchman Walid Ouizza.
Dalton Smith Is The Bright Spark of British Boxing
Hearn also added that Smith is among the British boxers with the most potential for a successful career.
“When you talk about British boxers who are world class and have the potential to be around for a long time fighting at the top level – he is like, the number one in Britain in that respect.”
“He’s ready to go now, he’s at that level and I think he has the mentality and the work ethic to be around for a long time.”
While having his sights set on Puello, Smith refuses to overlook the challenge of Germain. Hearn described the Canadian as “a much tougher test” than Ouizza.
“This is my world title fight,” said Smith. “That’s why I’ve put a lot into my camp. I’ve flown sparring partners from the other side of the world over for this. I know what can come after this fight.
“If Mathieu Germain thinks I’m overlooking him or thinking too far ahead then he’s wrong. He’s my world title fight.”
Dalton Smith will face Mathieu Germain on April 19th at Sheffield’s Canon Medical Arena.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
