Dalton Smith vs Jose Zepeda: could Adam Azim be next for Smith?
Purse bids have been set for April 3 for Smith and Azim to clash for the British and European super lightweight titles
Dalton Smith will look to beat the experienced Jose Zepeda this Saturday in Sheffield amid a possible fight with Adam Azim.
Live on DAZN, Smith-Zepeda will take place at Sheffield Stadium in front of over 5,000 fans with fights such as Ishmael Davis vs Troy Williamson, Sandy Ryan vs Terri Harper, and James Flint vs Campbell Hatton on the undercard.
Zepeda is set to be the toughest opponent of the Brit's career so far with 37 wins, including victories over Ivan Baranchyk and Jose Pedraza, but both the EBU and BBBofC have set purse bids for April 3 for a Smith-Azim bout.
Smith holds the British and Commonwealth titles after stopping Sam Maxwell in seven rounds last July.
Meanwhile, Azim is the current European super lightweight champion following stoppage victories over Franck Petitjean and Enock Poulsen.
However, even if Smith defeats Zepeda, there are doubts the Azim fight will happen next.
Smith told Boxing News: “When I win Saturday night they [Azim and his team] have got to prove to themselves that they’re at that level.
“But I’ve got one job to focus on and that’s Saturday night. Other than that he’s irrelevant to me.”
And Smith has been amused by the rumours that Azim will be pulled out of the upcoming purse bid.
“It’s been quite funny to see. It’s been a little bit of entertainment. I don’t really think too much into it. That’s why I’m with the best promoters. They’re doing their job. But for me, I’m doing what I need to do and that's to focus on what’s in front of me.”
Furthermore, Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn is certain Azim will not be allowed to face Smith next.
“We’ve already been told by Boxxer that Adam Azim is not fighting Dalton Smith next,” Hearn said to Matchroom Boxing.
“I don’t know what they’re hanging around for and wasting their time because it’s starting to get really embarrassing, especially if Dalton wins on Saturday and that question comes up because then the world is watching and then you’ve got to pull out after that.
“So, I probably expect them to pull out before Saturday. But if we win on Saturday we’re miles ahead of Adam Azim. But we’d still take a step back and fight him because it’s a big fight.”
Boxxer promoter Ben Shalom and Sky famously prevented Frazer Clarke from challenging Fabio Wardley last year for the British heavyweight title, forcing their fighter to pull out of purse bids.
Nevertheless, Wardley-Clarke is now scheduled to take place on Sunday 31st March at The O2 Arena in London, live on Sky Sports.
Therefore, Azim-Smith might not happen in 2024 but there is a chance the pair could clash in 2025 when both boxers have had more fights.