Boxing

'Prove himself!' - Smith lays down Azim gauntlet before Puello

DAZN

20, Aug

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Dalton Smith is open to a super-lightweight bout with Adam Azim , but insists his domestic rival needs to "prove himself" first.

The WBC champion will mount the first defence of his title against Alberto Puello this October at the Utilita Arena Sheffield.

But that has not stopped fellow Briton Azim talking up the chances of a major clash between them if he earns his own strap.

Ahead of his clash with Puello live on DAZN , Smith has professed his interest in a clash, but stresses he has other options too.

"There's a lot of big fights out there, but Adam's got to go and prove himself," he told DAZN News . "I hope he does, I really do.

"That's a big fight for us, but for me, I've got Alberto Puello as a better fighter, and there's a lot of other fights out there as well.

"I've got a world title to prove it, I've got the resume to prove it, and he hasn't. I'm going to bring a spectacular performance."

On Puello, a two-time world champion himself and a former WBC belt holder, Smith insists he is expecting a stern encounter.

"I've prepared for a tougher test," he added. "He is tougher. His style is completely different. It's going to be high-level boxing.

"You react to what's in front of you. I enjoyed [the pressure] last time. I enjoy it. I want to keep that torch burning for the city."

Smith sets down Azim gauntlet for test

Smith and Azim have been linked more than once to an encounter, given they run in the same division circles.

But the former's statement that the latter must earn his top-level stripes feels particularly pointed amid his own success story.

Make no mistake, Azim is a fine light-welterweight, with an unbeaten record to show. But he is yet to claim that major scalp.

Strong rankings will suggest that, if Smith comes through ex-champ Alberto Puello, an encounter could well be on the cards.

For now however, Azim - last out against Steve Claggett - must work towards that, with a possible October date surely key.

Watch Moses Itauma take the next step in his unstoppable career against Filip Hrgovic on Saturday, August 29, only on DAZN.

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