“Special” Dalton Smith is recommended by Darren Barker for the top spot
Darren Barker has described Dalton Smith as “special” and “special” but says there is no need to rush the Sheffield warrior.
Smith fights at home this Saturday night live on DAZN headline a show for the first time in his career.
The 25-year-old faces Sam O’Maison for the vacant British lightweight title at Sheffield Arena.
‘Thunder’ has passed every test with flying colors to date and is a huge favorite to win the Lonsdale belt.
Like Barker, many are recommending Smith for the top spot but the former world middleweight champion, now a DAZN pundit and commentator, says world names at 140lbs are far from coming. .
Writing in his new column for DAZN Barker says:
“Some fans will be excited at the prospect of playing Ryan Garcia and Teofimo Lopez if Smith wins on Saturday, but in my eyes he needs at least five more fights before going up to the bigs. of that caliber.”
“People like Garcia and Lopez are not only the top names in the league, but also in the sport of boxing.”
Barker mentioned domestic names Lewis Ritson and Robbie Davies Jr as potential future contenders for Smith.
Davies Jr was also promoted by Matchroom, while Ritson was part of the ranks at Probellum. Both are former British champions but could be the type of boxer that proves whether Smith is good enough to level up.
Barker, who regrets failing to defend the title England won in 2009, has outlined his own route for Smith should he win on Saturday.
“A couple of British title defenses, a European title match, then world or janitor competition would be the right path for Smith, and if he passes the tests, check that with flying colors, I’ll give him a chance to win a world title in the not too distant future. “