Dalton Smith further enhanced his world title credentials, as he stopped former world title challenger Jose Zepeda in the fifth round of their super lightweight meeting to win the vacant WBC Silver title at the Sheffield Arena.
Smith (16-0, 12 KOs) was coming off a superb seventh round stoppage of Sam Maxwell, while Zepeda (37-5 28 KOs) had challenged for world honours on three occasions, but was coming off a wide points loss to Richardson Hitchins.
Smith was forced to respect Zepeda’s power in the early going, but the home fighter was landing with left hands in particular.
The end came abruptly in round five, as Smith landed a wicked body shot that forced Zepeda to his haunches in pain, and he was unable to beat the count.
🥶🥶🥶@daltonsmith08’s devastating win from ringside #SmithZepeda pic.twitter.com/4Fvi79roPk
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 23, 2024
On the undercard, Sandy Ryan (7-1-1, 3 KOs) impressively retained her WBO welterweight title, as she forced Terri Harper (14-2-2, 6 KOs) to retire ahead of the fifth round of their meeting.
Sandy Ryan is PILING it on the former champ 😱#SmithZepeda | #RyanHarper pic.twitter.com/cYUvPxGWIl
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 23, 2024
Ishmael Davis (13-0, 6 KOs) continued with his meeting with Troy Williamson (20-3-1, 14 KOs), despite Williamson missing weight, and he recorded a points win in a final eliminator for the British super welterweight title. Davis won by two scores of 116-112, and a third at 117-111.
Credit to two warriors 👏@Ishmaeldavis_ & @TroyWilliamson_ 🙌#SmithZepeda pic.twitter.com/UlKDuuag8f
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 23, 2024
Campbell Hatton (14-1, 5 KOs) suffered his first career defeat, as James Flint (14-1-2, 3 KOs) retained his Central Area super lightweight title with a win on the cards. Scored of 98-92, 97-94 and 97-95 sealed victory in an absorbing contest.
Flint. Hatton… WHAT A FIGHT TO THE END! 👏#SmithZepeda pic.twitter.com/5UUMTTgvVl
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 23, 2024
At super bantamweight, Nico Leivars (6-0-1, 1 KO) recorded his first early win, as he took a ninth round knockout win against Piotr Mirga (7-3, 0 KOs).
Liam Cameron (23-5, 10 KOs) dropped Hussein Itaba (16-9-3, 11 KOs) twice before taking a first round win at light heavyweight, while Emmanuel Buttigieg (3-0, 1 KO) decked Bartlomiej Stryczek (2-3, 1 KO) in round three of their six rounder at super welterweight before winning on points.
⚡️ Superb finish from @nico_leivars 👏#SmithZepeda pic.twitter.com/uzZ84Lrw7S
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 23, 2024
Connan Murray (8-0, 1 KO) also won on points over six at middleweight against Edgar Kemsky (3-7-1, 1 KO).
