A NEW BRITISH BREW
Rivalry: competition for the same objective or for superiority in the same field. Y ears back, I stumbled across a skillful, hard-hitting and clever amateur who was capturing multiple titles at the British, European and world levels. When Dalton Smith turned professional, I told the lovely young lad from Sheffield, England – and his new promoter, Eddie Hearn – that, built properly and with those feet remaining on the ground, he looked certain to become a world champion. What a fighter he has matured into. As Smith was building toward his pro debut, I met another precocious youngster who had a completely different style – dazzling speed, footwork and power. While watching him win every national title from schoolboy to youth, I firmly believed this Slough teenager, Adam Azim, was also destined to be a world champion. When he secured a Sky Sports contract, promoter Ben Shalom brought him into HQ and Adam’s been sensational ever since. Smith and Azim had me fascinated from very early on. Not because we sort of share names, but because we share a love for boxing and for the best fighting the best. Side by side now, these two up-and- comers in the 140-pound division draw ever closer to one of the biggest British clashes in recent years. They fell for the sport at just 4 and 5 years old, so both have an immense pedigree. Both also possess a relentless work ethic and an extremely strong mindset. They also have supportive families. Dalton is guided by his brilliant father, Grant, while Adam is surrounded by his parents and siblings and has an excellent coach in Shane McGuigan, who believes he is “the best fighter I have ever worked with.” That’s some statement from a trainer whose roster has included the likes of David Haye, George Groves, Josh Taylor, Carl Frampton and Daniel Dubois.
Smith recently turned 28. Azim will turn 23 this summer. Dalton is 18-0 with 13 knockouts, while Adam is a little behind with 10 stoppages in his 13 victories. In terms of world-level credentials and resume, Smith has the edge. Recent victories over Jose Zepeda (TKO 5), Walid Ouizza (TKO 1) and Mathieu Germain (UD 12) were impressive enough to earn him the No. 9 spot in The Ring’s junior welterweight rankings. However, Azim is closing in and looked excellent in stoppage triumphs over Ohara Davies (KO 8) and former titleholder Sergey Lipinets (TKO 9). There is genuine respect between the two – they recently chatted and shook hands during a rare impromptu meeting at the Ben Whittaker-Liam Cameron show in Birmingham. But there is a steely confidence in each that is simmering down to a duel, and both were only too happy to share their thoughts for The Ring. I spoke to them on the same day, one after the other. “The position I am at is roughly the plan I set out to do,” Dalton told me. “Traditional, right route. Feel like I’ve progressed well and I am coming into my prime now. I am in this position for a reason. I was the mandatory for the WBC before my last fight. Alberto Puello-Subriel Matias is in July. Then I am next. I am in touching distance of that world title. September time? I’d love to have it in Britain. “You don’t become a world champion overnight. I have beaten some good names. I am listening. It is one step at a time, and then the sky’s the limit.” When I spoke to his rival, Azim responded with the same confidence in his own trajectory. “My career’s been very, very good,” he stated. “The step-ups have been amazing; I feel the matchmaking has been completely on point. I am developing, climbing the ladder. I want the bigger world stage and all the belts.” But there are plans to take over the world, and then there are plans of a
more local nature. The mere mention of his Sheffield nemesis ignited the fuse: “I am ready for Dalton Smith right now. I know I will beat him. I know I will stop him. He keeps saying he has my number – the only number he is getting is the 10 count!” Dalton gave his own take: “There are people on my side, people on his – that is what makes this incredibly exciting. I have always given Adam credit for what he’s done.” But he couldn’t resist twisting the knife just a bit: “I do though feel he has a lot of developing to do,” Dalton continued. “I’m confident I’ll beat Adam. The rivalry is growing nicely. I would love this to happen so much. At the right time. “Yes, Adam is a very sharp counterpuncher and he has power. But to reach the top, you need a little bit of everything, and I believe I have much more in my armory. I think I will outsmart him in every department – my feet, angles, speed, I would set him many traps. Adam is a little one- dimensional. He has a style which really suits me. “Shane saw me close-up at 21. I am a much better fighter now, and I'm very, very confident that I will stop him.” Adam has heard all of this before: “[Dalton] can say what he likes, but I saw him spar Luke Campbell, and Luke won every round,” said Azim. “I have never sparred Dalton. I was 18, just turning pro. Totally different now. “Many believe Dalton wins,” he continued. “He is a very good fighter, but I am just different. He’s never faced anyone like me. I really want to prove a point. I can’t wait to smash him up and shut the critics up.” The backdrop for this perfect storm is that they are both in a classic division – the best 140-pounders have always possessed a potent blend of ring intelligence, speed and power. Ricky Hatton lit up the junior welterweight brigade in the early 2000s, but unfortunately we never saw his deep rivalry with countryman
Mathieu Germain feels the Smith hook during their clash in Sheffield.
Junior Witter come to fruition. Their different personalities and styles were kept apart, much to the frustration of us broadcasters, the fans and – more than anyone – the fighters themselves. The argument still rages: Who would have been king of the junior welterweights in the U.K.? Hatton or Witter? Both had cracking careers independently – but what dance partners they could have been! Bitter British enemies Amir Khan and Kell Brook danced around each other for years. We tried so hard to get them into a ring, but it took way too long. Although there was a highly anticipated buildup, their eventual February 2022 clash was too one-sided toward Kell to
80,000 at Wembley Stadium. Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn had been the epitome of ring rivals in 1990. Polar opposites in every way. And after their feud provided millions watching with awesome action and spectacular theater, their sons Chris Jr. and Conor picked up the mantle and repeated the feat in 2025. A turbulent buildup amidst eggs, arrows, threats and accusations saw almost 70,000 descend on Tottenham’s supreme stadium for The Ring’s inaugural event on April 26. The atmosphere ripped with electricity; Chris Sr. showed up at the very last moment, the ring walks were simply astounding, and what followed was a 12-round Fight
warrant a rematch. A worthy rematch is exactly what we were treated to when Carl Froch and George Groves elevated British boxing in 2013 and 2014. Their grudge match was one of the most acrimonious we have seen, with needle-a-plenty after that thunderous and controversial first encounter – Froch scored a ninth-round stoppage in a tough fight that many, Groves most of all, felt was still playing out – led to an unforgettable rematch in which Froch won by KO 8 in front of
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