Dalton Smith will look to launch a potentially huge 2025 for his career when he faces France’s Walid Ouizza for the vacant European super lightweight title in Nottingham.
Smith, 16-0 with 14 KOs, is one of the hottest prospects in British boxing, but at 27, it is time to graduate beyond prospect status.
The Sheffield native has already claimed Commonwealth and British titles at 140 lbs, and the European strap would allow him to complete the next step on the traditional path towards world honours.
“Any fight you go into, whether it’s your first fight or the fight I’m at now, it’s a dangerous sport. You’ve got to prepare like every fight is a world title,” Smith said at this week’s pre-fight press conference. “You’re in there with someone who is trying to take your head off. I know the position I’m in right now and where I want to be by the end of the year. That’s why I’ve prepared 100% – I’ve not overlooked Walid.
“For me, this is a world title fight for me. I know what can come after. I know I’m in this game for the long run. Until I’m 34/35. I’m 27 at the minute. I want to collect every belt. Picking up all of these belts – that’s what I’m in it for.”
WATCH: Dalton Smith vs. Walid Ouizza, live on DAZN
Ouizza is 19-2 as a professional with eight victories inside the distance. However, the 33-year-old is on an 11-fight winning streak and is fresh off beating Bryan Venant Fanga to win the French super lightweight title last time out.
On the undercard, unified super bantamweight champion Ellie Scotney faces Mea Motu in her first bout since adding the WBO title to her IBF crown when she beat Ouizza’s compatriot Segolene Lefebvre in Manchester last April.
The Sporting News will update live results from the Smith vs. Ouizza fight card and provide a full report on the main event.
Dalton Smith vs. Walid Ouizza full card results
- Dalton Smith vs. Walid Ouizza for the European super lightweight title
- Harry Scarff (c) vs. Conah Walker for the British and Commonwealth welterweight titles
- Ellie Scotney (c) vs. Mea Motu for the IBF, WBO, and Ring super bantamweight titles
- Hamza Uddin vs. Misael Ezequiel Graffioli; Flyweights
- Ibraheem Sulaimaan vs. Reuquen Cona Facundo Arce; Super Featherweights
- Nico Leivars vs. Lewis Morris; Featherweights
- Traie Duberry vs. Camilo Castagno; Cruiserweights
How to watch Dalton Smith vs. Walid Ouizza
- Date: Saturday, January 25
- Location: Motorpoint Arena – Nottingham
- Time: 2 p.m. ET | 11 a.m. PT | 7 p.m. GMT | 6 a.m. AEDT
- Live Stream: DAZN
The Dalton Smith vs. Walid Ouizza fight card will be available via DAZN. A DAZN monthly subscription costs £9.99 in the UK on a 12-month contract, or £19.99 month-to-month. An annual subscription will cost £99.99 in the U.K.
A DAZN monthly subscription is $19.99 on a 12-month contract or $24.99 month-to-month, and an annual subscription is $224.99.
