Dalton Smith is eyeing bigger fish after blasting out Walid Ouizza in one round for the European junior welterweight title Saturday in Nottingham, England.
Smith had been out of the ring for 10 months prior to his first-round finish of Ouizza at the Nottingham Arena, but he had no plans to bank the rounds. Smith put the pressure on Ouizza from the opening bell, and when he saw an opportunity to finish the show, he took it.
“I mean, obviously it’s good to get it over and done with,” Smith told BoxingScene. “You’re not in any danger then, but it’s good to get the rounds in. But quicker, the better for us.
“I mean Walid Ouizza was a solid opponent in there. We expected to break him down over the second half of the fight, after probably five, six rounds. We thought he’d have come out fast, a tight guard, but from the first shot I felt him dip, I felt his legs weaken and thought I’ll stick it on him while he’s cold.”
Smith, ranked No. 2 by the WBC before the contest, is likely after his dominant win to become the mandatory challenger for the upcoming fight between Alberto Puello and Sandor Martin for the vacant title. Puello and Martin will battle for the WBC title in March, and Smith wants the winner next.
“I mean, obviously my goal is, I’d love the world title next, and I believe Eddie Hearn and Frank Smith are the men to make that happen,” Smith said. “I’m No. 2 with the WBC, I’ve been in line for the winner of Puello and Sandor Martin, so if I stay in the gym, that’s what I want next.
“I’ve had some good performances, I’m in a great position, so when that opportunity comes, I’ll be ready for it and I’ll be there to stay.”
Smith, when asked which of the two he considered his ideal opponent, responded: “Whoever the champion is, yeah, whoever the champion is – that’s the one I want.”
Smith has launched himself into a booming junior welterweight division with the likes of Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia and Teofimo Lopez. Smith believes he is now ready for them all.
“I’m not in boxing to lie down for anyone,” he said. “I believe I’m in the position I am now because I’m confident in how good I am, especially from my performances. The 140lb division is the hardest out of them all, and I’m buzzing to get in there and make some big fights.”
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