Dalton Smith hits out at rival Adam Azim
British super-lightweight champion, Dalton Smith, has been ordered for an all-English clash for the European title, against current holder and top U.K. prospect Adam Azim. However, the Yorkshireman has stated his belief that the fight will not happen and that, if it doesn’t, it is through no fault of his own.
Azim has previously stated his goal of becoming a world champion quicker than his idol, Amir Khan, who won the WBA super-lightweight belt at 22-years-old, the same age as Azim will turn in July, meaning the youngster will have to act quick if he is to achieve his ambitious aim. He picked up the EBU crown back in November, and has already made one successful defence, but a fight with Dalton Smith would represent a serious step up in opposition and let off a signal of intent.
Meanwhile, Smith has now won the Lonsdale belt outright after three defences of the historic strap, and is scheduled to take on two-division world champion, Jose Zepeda, next month.
Speaking to Matchroom Boxing, he claimed that the American is a tougher opponent than his countryman and declared his opinion that Azim and his team don’t want to fight him.
“If the fight doesn’t get made, it is not because of me.”
“No, [he doesn’t want to fight me], I don’t think his team want him to either. You can see where they are coming from but we are both at the same stage in our careers. You can’t say that he needs to develop because he is a European champion and he is calling the bigger names out, but never mentions my name. If you want to get up there, you have got to come through me.”
“Zepeda is a harder fight than Adam Azim.”
Smith-Zepeda will go ahead on March 23rd at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield, as the hometown hero aims to further climb the WBC world 140lb rankings, where is currently ranked twelfth.