Great performance by Eddie Hearn in the ring last night showing all his endurance on the back of a trip to Oz - the highlight of the night was Hearn's fleeting footwork through the ropes followed by the promise of a Rolex Watch to Dalton Smith.
The new norm for most UK boxing fans now for PPV fights, particularly in the middle of the night, is watching the fights on youtube a few hours later. PPV and particularly the Saudi money has made a few boxers and promoters rich but are killing the sport long term. Look at the LIV Golf Tour, out of sight, out of mind and nobody has a clue who is winning the tournaments every week or even gives an ounce of shyte. The same with Saudi Football - all those big names went and nobody knows who won the league last year, how Ronaldo is faring in the top scorer chart or whether Nunez is still always offside every 5 minutes or shed his girlie ponytail. Sports washing is bad for sport.
Fair play to Dalton – genuinely pleased for him. He took it to Matías from the opening bell, stood right in front of him when he had to, but was quicker, sharper and mentally a step ahead. That was proper do-or-die boxing, no safety net, no home comforts, just backing himself, and that’s exactly how you win a world title abroad. Caught the fight on YouTube in full about 15 minutes after it ended, that pretty much sums up modern boxing consumption. Just wish he was promoted by Warren so we didn’t have to deal with Eddie doing his best Puff Daddy impression, all up in everything. Either way good night for British boxing, just hope Smith fans get to see him back in the UK and we don’t get a repeat in six months back in Saudi.
Firstly - well done Dalton Smith, great result away from home. Its especially nice feeling considering the opponents recent controversy, Smiths win feels like a bit of justice. In regards to your comments about the state of boxing in general, you have nailed it. This should of been his big breakthrough moment in terms of profile, but sadly only a handful will of watched. On here we all know how the fights are vanishing from our screens, but what's equally as concerning is the knock on effect from this. Years ago you would wake on a Sunday morning, put on the news and hear the sports headlines "Britain wakes to a new world champion" highlights & interviews would follow. News/sports websites would be running headlines and big features and analysis of the event. Fast forward to now - it's next to nothing, barely any mention on televised news, maybe just a one liner in the round up, and on websites Boxing is getting less of a mention and is being pushed further and further down,replaced by articles on other sports that draw more clicks and interest. I hope it can pick up but looking at the facts and the current situation the odds are against it
Reminiscent of Josh Taylor’s win against Jose Ramirez. Just him and his team, little fanfare/coverage and everything against him. Get in, get the job done, get out. Similar performance too as both just fought fire with fire. Smith’s timing was key. Tinged slightly by Hearn acting a clown in the ring & a load of Wednesday fans who didn’t even watch the fight now talking about Dalton fighting at Hillsborough like they’re his biggest fan, but I guess we can’t have everything.
That fight would not have happened like that if it was in Saudi with no atmosphere. That was old school. British fighter goes to America, hot bed atmosphere against an excellent champion. It was like the 70s and 80s. John H Stracey, Lloyd Honeyghan, Alan Minter, lovely, lovely stuff and his excellency nowhere to be seen. We all know it's better without him. Only shame was that it wasn't on terrestrial TV. Beautiful.
Good performance, it was going how I thought, with matias starting to come on after a few rounds and take over. I heard comments in daltons corner about stopping the fight, then “bang”. good fight by dalton.