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It's time for world champion Dalton Smith to face Adam Azim or American superstar at Hillsborough
British boxing is basking in a glow after Dalton Smith produced a fine performance in Brooklyn, New York, to stop Subriel Matias and become the WBC super lightweight champion.
Delivering one of the great wins by a British fighter overseas, Smith deserves to enjoy this moment. The Sheffield man is already in full flow with the celebrations after drinking pints of Guinness with the small number of his fans who made the trip across the Atlantic.
Becoming a world champion was the first part of Smith's boxing dream, now attention turns to whether 'Thunder' can have a homecoming at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough.
For what would be a major sporting occasion for the city of Sheffield, a serious dance partner will be needed, and for Smith it's either a domestic rival or one of two American stars who clash later this month.
Smith vs. Azim to set up huge summer showdown?
There is no doubt as the dust begins to settle, the name Adam Azim will enter the fray for Smith's next move.
The two have been circling each other for a number of years, and with Smith now holding a world title, this could be what's needed to make what would be a marquee night for British boxing. But first, Azim must get past Gustavo Lemos on January 31.
In an exclusive interview with DAZN News last year, Azim claimed that the fight could take place towards the end of this year, but surely if a lucrative stadium clash with Smith presents itself for the summer, he has to take it.
In the eyes of Azim, this particular all-British showdown has the ability to be on the same level as some high stakes domestic dust-ups of the past.
"It would be similar to Amir Khan vs. Kell Brook, Carl Froch vs. George Groves, AJ vs. Tyson Fury," Azim told DAZN News. "It could be another Conor Benn-Chris Eubank."
Those are some lofty expectations, but an all-British stadium fight rarely disappoints, especially with the added ingredient of a world title.
If Hillsborough is indeed next for Smith, then you would not blame him deciding to face an easier foe in order to enjoy the start of his world title reign, but if he manages to tempt Azim to make the trip up to the Steel City, then that is some way to make a statement as a champion of the world.
Lopez or Stevenson to face Smith in unification fight
For the next few weeks, New York is the centre of the super lightweight division.
At the end of January, two more world class super lightweights will go head-to-head in the form of WBO and Ring Magazine champion Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson.
The pair will headline Ring 6 at Madison Square Garden with the winner likely to proclaim themselves as the face of American boxing.
Smith will have a keen eye on this fight and the possibility of facing the winner next as he looks to continue testing himself against the best this weight division has to offer.
If it is the winner of Lopez-Stevenson, Smith wants to face the next, then bringing either man to Sheffield would be a memorable occasion.
Yes, either American will be subject to a hostile atmosphere at Hillsborough, but it will bring out the best in them inside and outside the ring. There is also previous history of American fighters spoiling the party in the UK, for example Errol Spence Jr's 11th round knockout of Kell Brook at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane to become the IBF welterweight champion.
A huge fee would have to be put forward to tempt Lopez or Stevenson to face Smith in his own backyard, and they will be fully aware of the bear pit that awaits.
But the prospect of unifying the WBO and WBC super lightweight titles on away soil could be enough to inspire these two men to further enhance their respective reputations as a boxing great.
Watch López vs. Stevenson only on DAZN PPV
Teofimo López and Shakur Stevenson headline the Ring VI fight night in New York, exclusively on DAZN PPV, on January 31, 2026.
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