Dalton Smith: I’m ready to take Shakur Stevenson or Teofimo Lopez at the combine | Debate News

Dalton Smith says he is ready for a fight to unify Shakur Stevenson or Teofimo Lopez after claiming the WBC super-lightweight title and believes his opponent Adam Azim must prove himself at world level before they fight.

Smith became Britain’s latest world boxing champion after knocking out Subriel Matias in the fifth round in Brooklyn.

That extended his undefeated record to 19-0 when a right hook dropped Puerto Rico’s Matias and the referee called for a stoppage, despite Matias trying to get up.

The Sheffield striker had rocked his opponent with another right hand earlier in the same round.

Now, attention has turned to who Smith will face next and whether a unification fight is on the cards with the winner of the fight between Lopez, who is defending his WBO super-lightweight title, and Stevenson in New York on January 31.

The undefeated Stevenson will be looking to become a four-weight world champion if he moves up to lightweight and will challenge Lopez from Brooklyn, who is about to defend the WBO belt for the fourth time.

Smith says he will likely be in New York to watch that fight and will be keeping a close eye on the two fights he has in his sights.

“I’ll probably be there watching it. It’s a good fight and obviously my eyes are on that as what I might face these guys next. It’s going to be good and it’s going to be a great fight,” Smith told the media. Sky Sports.

“I pick Shakur (Stevenson) by points.”

Would Smith choose a particular opponent from the two? He says that just like he did to Matias, he will take on anyone to achieve his next goal.

“Anyway. I’ve always said I want to be a world champion, a WBC world champion and I’ll fight anyone who can do that,” he added.

“I did that and it will be the same process in the future. You fight whoever you have to fight.

“We will take each fight in time, but we will see how far we can go. I believe in myself that I will be world champion, I have done that.

“Let’s see what else we can achieve.”

The ‘big fights’ begin as time will tell if Azim is ‘good enough’ for the world title

Talk of a unification fight means the attention is on with speculation that Smith will face Adam Azim after recent fights with Gustavo Lemos later this month.

While Smith is optimistic about British boxing that Azim has what it takes to put himself in world title contention in the future, for now he is looking for “big fights”.

“I know Gustavo (Lemos), he is my partner in the last fight – not the world title, that was before,” said Smith.

“I got him for a few weeks. He’s a good guy and obviously I’m here to support Adam. I don’t want Adam to have a problem. It’s going to be a good fight.

“I think he is ready to win the world title but time will pass and I want him to continue to achieve those things because it is better for us.

“When someone gets into that position in that fight, it makes sense. But from now on, you know, I believe I deserve those big fights.”

Azim has already responded to Smith’s comments about the possibility of a fight with him and believes he has time in his career to get to that level.

Indeed, he would gladly take him to fight the battle to bring theirs into line.

Azim vacated the European super-lightweight title in April 2024, canceling a mandatory defense against Smith.

“It’s great news for me. The fight is getting bigger. If I win the world title, there will be a lot of unity in Britain,” Azim said earlier.

“A bit like Carl Frampton vs Scott Quigg. We’ve had Amir Khan vs Kell Brook; Conor Benn vs Chris Eubank Jr. You’ve got Nigel Benn and you’ve got Chris Eubank Sr. This is the next one.

“Maybe you’re looking at me, but look at me when I’m young.

“He’s 28, I’m 23. I have a lot of time in my career. He did that at 28. Imagine doing that at the beginning of my career. I still have years ahead of me.

“I think if we end up fighting each other, you’ll see the spark we both have.”