Sheffield’s Utilita Arena is preparing for a brawl on the night of March 23. The city’s own pugilistic prodigy, Dalton Smith, sporting an unblemished record, is about to step into the ring against America’s battle-hardened Jose Zepeda, a man who’s tasted the world title fight atmosphere thrice. Not to be overshadowed, Derby’s own Sandy Ryan, reigning WBO Welterweight queen, is risking her shiny hardware against Terri Harper from Denaby Main, a fighter who’s no stranger to hoisting championship belts in not one, but two weight divisions.
Last time we saw ‘Thunder’ Smith, he delivered a jaw-dropping spectacle by sending Sam Maxwell to dreamland with a single explosive punch that echoed through Sheffield, snagging (securing) the Commonwealth Super-Lightweight crown along with his British title, which he now holds tighter than a miser’s purse.
Zepeda, hailing from California, has danced (competed) at the super-lightweight title stage before but found the spotlight a tad blinding, falling short against the likes of Jose Carlos Ramirez and Regis Prograis. His previous jaunt to the UK ended in an unfortunate twist, quite literally, with a shoulder mishap against Terry Flanagan.
Sandy Ryan is itching to erase the memory of a contentious draw against Jessica McCaskill that left her stewing, feeling robbed of a monumental victory. Harper, equally miffed by her own stalemate with Cecilia Braekhus, is eyeing a chance to etch her name in the history books in yet another division, proving her mettle across the scales.
Adding spice to the night, Campbell Hatton aims to wrap his fists around his first title, squaring off against James Flint for the Central Area Super-Lightweight strap. The undercard promises its own fireworks with matchups (fights) that could steal the show on any other night.
Undercard
Super Featherweight Contest
Giorgio Visioli (Aldershot) 2-0 (2 KO) v TBC
Central Area Super Lightweight Title
Campbell Hatton (Manchester) 14-0 (5 KO) v James Flint (Doncaster) 13-1-2 (3 KO)
Super Welterweight Content
Ishmael Davis (Leeds) 12-0 (6 KO) v Troy Williamson (Darlington) 20-2-1 (14 KO)
WBO World Welterweight Title
Terri Harper (Denaby Main) 14-1-2 (6 KO) v Sandy Ryan (Derby) 6-1-1 (2 KO)
Super Lightweight Content
Dalton Smith (Sheffield) 15-0 (11 KO) v Jose Zepeda (California) 37-4 (28 KO)