Sheffield’s Boxing Dream: Izzy Asif aims to unite rival fans with Dalton Smith and Shakiel Thompson fight night
Sheffield will soon be staging one of the biggest nights in its storied boxing history if one of the UK’s up-and-coming promoters gets his way
With the careers of boxers Dalton Smith and Shakiel Thompson both progressing at a rapid pace, SportsBoom managed to sit down with promoter Izzy Asif who is currently helping organise a card showcasing the Steel City’s two finest fighters within the next 12 to 18 months.
“What an occasion that would be – Shak and Dalton on a show together. It would be huge, absolutely huge, and something completely special. Sheffield is an amazing place for boxing – I don’t think there’s anywhere better in the country.”
In this exclusive chat, Izzy also revealed how he’d love to see Sheffield United and Wednesday fans united for one night only to support both Steel City stalwarts.
A Tale of Two Fighters and Two Football Clubs
With the careers of Dalton Smith and Shakiel Thompson both progressing at a rapid pace, Izzy Asif told SportsBoom he wants to help organise a card showcasing the Steel City’s two finest fighters within the next twelve to 18 months.
Smith, a lifelong Sheffield Wednesday supporter, is scheduled to challenge for the European super-lightweight title later this year after a bout with Jon Fernandez, his most likely opponent, was postponed due to injury last month.
Thompson, who like Smith has yet to taste defeat as a professional, follows The Owls’ arch-rivals Sheffield United.
Noticing how footballing loyalties helped create an electric atmosphere when Josh Warrington and Leigh Wood clashed at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena last year, Asif aims to go one better by placing the two hometown heroes on the same bill.
The Rise of Dalton Smith and Shakiel Thompson
“What an occasion that would be – Shak and Dalton on a show together,” Izzy Asif begun.
“It would be huge, absolutely huge, and something completely special.”
“United and Wednesday coming together for a night and getting behind their own.”
“Sheffield is an amazing place for boxing – I don’t think there’s anywhere better in the country – and the fans of both our clubs are the most passionate there are.”
“Can you imagine what it would be like, in the arena, with United and Wednesday in there? Phenomenal, that’s what it would be like so let’s make it happen.”
“I love Dalton,” Asif continued. “He’s going great guns and is definitely going straight to the top of the tree.”
“Shak has so much talent as well. If we could get them both on together, bring United and Wednesday together, what an incredible night that would be.”
A Call for Collaboration Between Promoters
Although Smith and Thompson work with different stables – the latter, who operates at middleweight, competes under Izzy’s GBM banner – the 41-year-old, whose company operates out of South Yorkshire, hopes its broadcasting arrangement with DAZN could pave the way for his dream to be realised.
Smith also sees his bouts televised on the global streaming services, thanks to its agreement with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom.
Hearn was a guest at ringside when Thompson extended his record to 13-0 with a devastating stoppage of River Wilson-Bent at the Canon Medical Arena. Twenty-four hours later, Hearn staged a world title bout between Terri Harper and Rhiannon Dixon inside the same Sheffield venue.
Matchroom, who have outlined plans to pit Smith (16-0) against Spain’s Jon Fernandez for the vacant EBU strap before Christmas, were responsible for devising the innovative seating arrangement which guaranteed Wood’s clash with Warrington unfolded against one of the noisiest backdrops in decades.
Hearn placed Wood’s fans, who are drawn from the terraces of Nottingham Forest’s City Ground, on one side of the arena.
Facing them on the other were thousands from Elland Road, where Warrington enjoys cult hero status.
With the likes of Prince Naseem Hamed, Kell Brook, Herol ‘Bomber’ Graham, Clinton Woods, Ryan Rhodes and Paul ‘Silky’ Jones all hailing from Sheffield, Asif is adamant that combining pugilism and soccer would be a profitable mix for Smith and Thompson.
“It’s great to see promoters working together now,” said Izzy, referring to the thaw in relations between Hearn and Frank Warren of Queensberry.
“We [GBM Sports and Matchroom Boxing] are both on DAZN so let’s get it on, let’s get it done.
“A show like that would sell-out in no time and be brilliant for everyone involved in it, including the fighters and the fans.”