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‘Trust the process’ – Dalton Smith prepares for final hurdle ahead of world title fight
“It’s just about being patient. You can’t make things happen that aren’t meant to be just yet.”
Those are the words of British super lightweight Dalton Smith when speaking exclusively to DAZN News ahead of his fight with Mathieu Germain on Saturday night.
Taking place at Sheffield’s Canon Medical Arena live on DAZN, this was not what many fight fans had in mind for ‘Thunder’ after he knocked out Walid Ouizza in the first round of their January contest.
Since then, Smith has been installed as the number one contender for the WBC’s super lightweight title which is currently held by Alberto Puello with many assuming that his next outing would a shot at the title.
However, Smith will instead be facing Germain, a Canadian who boasts a 26-2-1 record with 11 of those wins coming by way of knockout.
Despite numerous statements from promoter Eddie Hearn that a world title shot was just around the corner, this dream has failed to materialise, and if Smith was beginning to get frustrated with this lack of opportunity, who could blame him.
Smith on the other hand is a cool head on calm shoulders. He has never been one to throw his toys out of the pram and while there may be no world title on the line this Saturday, ‘Thunder’ is seeing plenty of positives from his matchup with Germain.
“I’d love the world title shot more than anybody else, but it was not meant to be,” Smith told DAZN News.
“We’re staying active, getting straight back out, keep that momentum going. This is a world title shot for me because I know what can come after.
“I know I’m going to be a world champion soon, so trust the process, everything will slot into place when it’s meant to be, and I feel like I’m getting close to it.”
Thunderous knockouts
If there is one way Smith can force a world title shot, it’s by putting on a show in the ring.
His last three wins over Sam Maxwell, the experienced Jose Zepeda and Walid Ouizza have all come by way of knockout.
These finishes are often what captures the attention of boxing fans as clips of knockouts often go viral and bring the necessary eyeballs needed to make a fighter a household name.
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Smith will be hoping to keep making these knockout statements on Saturday night and the Sheffield man has already set a target for himself ahead of the opening bell.
“The earlier the better for me, the quicker out of there, the less danger,” Smith said.
“Mathieu Germain is a solid opponent, ranked 11 with the IBF, he’s no knock over job by no means. It’s a fight I’ve got to be switched on for.
“I’ve got to make a statement to move towards that world title.”
World champion Puello next on the list
For Smith, the dream is simple, to bring big-time boxing to Hillsborough, the home of Sheffield Wednesday.
Smith’s ideal scenario would be to bring a world champion to the Steel City and for ‘Thunder’, there is only one name, Alberto Puello.
Puello is the WBC’s champion at super lightweight after beating Sandor Martin by split decision in March, and for Smith, the iconic and historic green and gold belt is the one he is desperate to have around his waist.
“Most definitely, the green and gold for me is the number one, I want to chase that belt down.
“I’ve pushed hard moving down the WBC route over the last couple of years and I’ve finally got myself in a good position.”
The world title fight is within Smith's grasp, but first he must continue to bring the thunder to the ring and Mathieu Germain will be the latest man attempting to weather the storm.
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