SMITH: I'LL PROVE WHY I'M MANDATORY FOR THE WBC WORLD TITLE
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 16 Apr 2025
'Thunder' has sights firmly set on Alberto Peullo
Dalton Smith can move a step closer to a dream World Title shot when he defends his WBC Silver Super-Lightweight Title against Canada's Mathieu Germain at the Canon Medical Arena in Sheffield this Saturday - shown live worldwide on DAZN.
The undefeated 28-year-old is Mandatory Challenger to the WBC World Title held by the Dominican Alberto Puello, who defeated Spain's Sandor Martin in a close contest to land the vacant title at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn last month.
Puello is yet to finalise a voluntary defence of his recently attained crown, and 'Thunder' (17-0, 13 KOs) hopes to lure the 30-year-old to his hometown of Sheffield should he get past an in-form Germain (26-2-1, 11 KOs) this weekend.
“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.
“Mathieu is 11 with the IBF and he’s a solid opponent. I’m not going in there relaxed. I’m going in there switched on. We’ll see what his tactics are from the first bell. We’ll work it from there. He will be coming to win but I’ll be getting the job done - he’s in the way of some huge nights for me.
"I’m expecting a tougher fight, I expected more from my last fight, but it’s boxing, you get caught in the first round or the 12th round on the chin, and it’s game over. I go into every fight expecting it to go 12 rounds, and expect my opponents to be the same. You can expect the best of me on Saturday."
Smith kicked off the year in style by wiping out Frenchman Walid Ouizza in one round at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena to claim the vacant EBU European Title in January. The Sheffield Wednesday supporter wants to remain as active as possible ahead of career-defining fights in the 140 lbs division.
“The guy in front of me right now is Mathieu and there’s no room for hiccups for me. I know going into this fight that I need a World Title performance. That’s why we’re back in my hometown, I’m looking to put on a big performance to put me in good stead going into those big fights.
"It’s not about picking easy opponents, Mathieu is a solid fighter, we’re picking these fights because he’s going to bring a lot to the table before these big fights, so no stone has been left unturned and I’m not overlooking him one bit, I’m going to go in there and prove why I am mandatory for the WBC World Title."
Smith vs. Germain tops a big night of action in Sheffield, former IBF Featherweight World Champion Josh Warrington (34-4-1, 8 KOs) returns to action against India's Asad Asif Khan (19-6-1, 5 KOs) in a ten-round Super-Featherweight contest, Birmingham's Ryan Kelly (19-5-1, 8 KOs) faces Belfast's Caomhin Agyarko (16-0, 7 KOs) for the WBA Continental Super-Welterweight Title, Armthorpe Lightweight Josh Padley (15-1, 4 KO) takes on Serbia's undefeated Marco Cvetanovic (13-0, 6 KOs) for the WBA International Title, Aldershot Super-Featherweight Giorgio Visioli (6-0, 5 KOs) steps up against Birmingham's Kane Baker (19-11-2, 1 KO), Newham Middleweight prospect Leli Buttigieg (7-0, 1 KO) meets Chatham's Grant Dennis (19-10, 3 KOs) over six rounds and Wigan Lightweight Joe Howarth (11-1, 4 KOs) kicks off the Before The Bell against Mexico's Mario Valenzuela Portillo (8-6-2, 2 KOs).
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
PH Teen Arca Upsets Super GM Gustafsson
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 16 Apr 2025SMITH: I'LL PROVE WHY I'M MANDATORY FOR THE WBC WORLD TITLE
Wed, 16 Apr 2025UNDEFEATED STANFORD SENIOR DANTE “THE INFERNO” KIRKMAN RETURNS MAY 24 IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Wed, 16 Apr 2025The Past Week in Action 14 April 2025: Ennis Retires Stanionis in 6, Unifies IBF/WBA Welter Titles; Spencer Defeats Suarez; Pro Boxing Returns in Cuba; Astrolabio, Nietes Win in Manila
By Eric Armit, Tue, 15 Apr 2025What Happened to the Goodman Fight? Inoue on Replacement, Mismatch Spree
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 15 Apr 2025Ambuang wins 1799 Below FIDE Tournament in Tangub City
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 15 Apr 2025FUNDORA VS. BADILLO UNDERCARD TO BE STACKED WITH GOLDEN BOY’S FUTURE STARS
Tue, 15 Apr 2025NM Nika Juris Nicolas finishes fourth in Cincinnati Chess Open
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 15 Apr 2025May 10: Andres Cortes-Salvador Jimenez Junior Lightweight Showdown Featured on Navarrete-Suarez Undercard at Pechanga Arena San Diego LIVE on ESPN+
Tue, 15 Apr 2025BOOTS AND HEARN TELL WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONS – DARE TO BE GREAT!
Tue, 15 Apr 2025UNDEFEATED BANTAMWEIGHT ANTHONY GARNICA READY TO SHINE IN 2ND MAIN EVENT AGAINST ASTON PALICTE ON APRIL 19
Tue, 15 Apr 2025Kevin Brown Training Camp Notes
Tue, 15 Apr 2025Undefeated Dallas Super Middleweight Sam Arnold III returns home to Graduate from Prospect to Contender
Tue, 15 Apr 2025King's Promotions Adds Boxing Commentating Trailblazer Claudia Trejos Ambassador For Women's Boxing
Tue, 15 Apr 2025Cebuano Caparino in a tie for lead in Bangkok tourney; Bernardino bounces back
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 15 Apr 2025