Dalton Smith vs Sam Maxwell – Results & Post-Fight Report

Dalton Smith defended his British Super Lightweight Title, and added the Commonwealth super lightweight title to his collection with a ruthless seventh round knockout of Sam Maxwell at the Sheffield Arena.

Smith had won the British belt that Maxwell had vacated last August, halting Sam O’Maison in six, and he had defended twice, most recently in a points win against Billy Allington in February. Maxwell won British and Commonwealth crowns in August 2021, outscoring Akeem Ennis-Brown, and then lost for the first time as a pro a fight later, stopped in nine by Alejandro Meneses in an IBO title tilt. He returned in February, winning all six rounds against Shaun Cooper.

Maxwell began tentatively, in an opening round that Smith (15-0, KO11) controlled, and Smith opened up in the second, picking his punches with aplomb to get Maxwell’s attention. Maxwell (17-2, KO11) was struggling to gain the respect of the British champion, with Smith dictating the pace and getting in and out of range as he pleased, taking rounds three and four. The pattern changed though in the fifth, as Smith was cut over the eye in a clash of heads, and suddenly Maxwell went on the attack, sensing an opportunity. Smith shrugged that off, and hurt Maxwell in the sixth with a right uppercut followed by a volley of accurate shots, and a round later came the conclusion, as ’Thunder’ uncorked a superb left-right combination that flattened Maxwell and ended the contest on impact.

Pat McCormack (5-0, KO4) collected his first professional title, taking the vacant WBA Continental super welterweight title by overwhelming Tony Dixon (14-5, KO4), forcing a retirement at the end of the fourth round. A right hand to the temple buzzed Dixon in the opener, and McCormack had his man’s number, and after dominating the contest, McCormack scored a knockdown with a raking right hand in the fourth, and Dixon’s corner had seen enough at the end of the round.

Hopey Price (11-0, KO4) scored the best win of his fledgling career, as he forced James Beech Jr (15-5, KO2) to retire after seven rounds of their scheduled ten rounder at featherweight.

Junaid Bostan (6-0, KO5) went the distance for the first time as a pro, winning 79-73 over eight rounds against Ryan Amos (10-1-1, KO1) in their super welterweight contest.

The vacant English lightweight title was taken by Lewis Sylvester (12-0, KO3), as he took a tight decision win over ten rounds against Adam Cope (7-1, KO1). Two scores of 96-94, and a third at 96-95 secured the belt for the Hull native.

2020 Olympic Silver medallist Beatriz Ferreira (3-0, KO1) went eight rounds for the first time, and she took all eight rounds against the tough Mexican Karla Ramos Zamora (10-10-1, KO3) at super featherweight.

Lightweight prospect Cory O’Regan (10-0, KO1) took all six rounds in the show opener against the experienced Jordan Ellison (14-49-3 KO1).

Super bantamweight Nico Leivars (4-0-1, KO0) won the battle of unbeatens, taking a 59-55 verdict over six against Alberto Motos (4-1, KO0).