“I Thought It Would Be Over In 2!“ - Eddie Hearn On Dubois Vs Wardley 2, Smith Vs Puello & More!

SPEAKER_1 (0:02)

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Scott (0:30)

Well, Eddie, great to see you. Good to catch up. Big fight week this week in Sheffield as Dalton Smith defends his £140 WBC World Title for the first time against the tricky and tough Southpaw mandatory Alberto Puello. This just has all the makings of a great fight, doesn't it?

Eddie Hearn (0:44)

I think it's a brilliant fight. I mean, I think one of the fights of the year on British soil, a very, very, very, very tough homecoming defence. You know, we know that or knew that when Dalton went into the Suburban Real Mateus fight, this was part of that sort of backlog, if you like, with the WBC.

I think many feel that the victory from Mateus over Puello was quite a controversial one, or certainly a very close fight. The WBC ordered that he get a shot at the winner of Mateus against Dalton. Of course, we saw what Dalton Smith did in January was quite incredible and became world champion and now has to fight Puello. Like I said, brilliant fight. I mean, one of the top, top fights in the division and a really tough homecoming defense. You know, historically, you'd get a little bit of an easier one after having to fight Mateus in New York. But it shows you the ability and still of Dalton Smith and back to back wins against Mateus and Puello would be a hell of a statement in the 140 pound division.

Scott (1:43)

When you talk about Jarmere and Barclay Center, I was watching the scenes earlier today when Grant jumps in the ring, you jump in the ring, the emotion is just incredible. Where does that rank now? You've had, what, seven, eight, nine months to-

Eddie Hearn (1:54)

I think that life passes you by very quickly. And, you know, we're lucky enough to be doing shows virtually every week. So although that was earlier this year, it seems like a lifetime ago. You know, when you think back to that moment, it was how the fight unfolded.

You know, you're in a situation where everybody felt that Dalton Smith had the fundamentals and the attributes to outbox Subrail Matias. But he needed to do that without getting drawn into a war. And we knew the war was coming, but it was like, can we make that war the championship rounds, please? And then all of a sudden, after a great first round, the second round, the war ensued and Dalton was in the trenches. And I'll be honest, I'm watching the fight thinking, this is not how we wanted to be after two or three rounds. It was an all out war.

Dalton was under a huge amount of pressure. And he just bit down on the gum shield and basically smashed Matthias to pieces at his own game. And it was just, it was such a wonderful performance because it was a method that I didn't expect in terms of the victory. And I think that was what was so incredible about it. You know, like I said, we know how good Dalton Smith is, you know, technically one of the best pound for pound fighters in the UK, no doubt, and a top top world class fighter. But can he stand with, you know, a guy with that kind of knockout ratio who is renowned to be a huge puncher, go toe to toe with him and come out on the other side. And that, for me, that was one of the top wins from a British fighter of all time on a way, on a way soil. The way that he done it, you know, picking up that WBC world title. I feel like he deserves a huge amount of credit for that win. And this is an important moment for British boxing to see, you know, one of your top young world champions defending a really tough fight.

Scott (3:37)

Dalton was quite vocal, actually. He was backing Puello to beat Matias when they boxed last summer. Do you think on paper this is a tougher fight than Matias?

Eddie Hearn (3:46)

Style wise, yes, because, you know, he's extremely tricky, can be a little bit awkward Puello, he can punch a little bit as well.