Tony Bellew has weighed in with his thoughts on a potential clash between Dalton Smith and Adam Azim.
Bellew was ringside to witness Smith’s one round destruction of Walid Ouizza this past weekend, whist Azim takes on former world champion, Sergey Lipinets in just five days’ time.
The pair had been ordered to fight earlier this year for the European title, however ‘The Assassin’ vacated the strap, which was then picked up by the Sheffield favourite against Ouizza on Saturday night.
Though a fight between Smith and Azim would no doubt capture the imagination of British fight fans, ‘Thunder’ is five years older than his compatriot and considerably more experienced and there is a sense that they may not meet for a couple of years’ time.
And speaking to IFL TV, he believes this would be a wise decision from the 22-year-old and his team.
“I don’t think they want the Dalton Smith fight any time soon. Why would you?
“At this stage of their careers, I think it’s clear to see who is better than the other. It doesn’t mean that’s how it going to end.
“But Dalton Smith goes into that fight as a massive favourite all day. For someone like Adam Azim, it’s not a risk worth taking right now.
“He’s a young kid and he deserves to be looked after like Dalton Smith has been looked after.
“It suits Dalton Smith now, but it shouldn’t suit Adam Azim right now. That’s just the way it is, it doesn’t detract from how brilliant they both are as fighters.”
OVER IN THE FIRST ROUND!@daltonsmith08 demolishes Ouizza to add the European to his WBC Silver 140lbs Title 🔥🔥🔥#SmithOuizza | @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/CrfWwBE4lf
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) January 25, 2025
Smith will be #1 contender to the winner of the WBC world title fight between Alberto Puello and Sandor Martin, due to take place on the Gervonta Davis vs Lamont Roach undercard on March 1.
And following the Yorkshireman’s obliteration of Ouizza, both he and his promoter Eddie Hearn were quick to state their desire to take on the winner of Puello vs Martin and become world champion in under 20 fights.
