Rising super-lightweight contender Adam Azim has shared his candid assessment of domestic rival Dalton Smith’s recent title defense, admitting he believes the Sheffield fighter was fortunate to escape with a split-decision victory over Alberto Puello last weekend.
The division has been a hotbed of activity and intrigue over the past year, largely ignited by Smith’s stunning breakout performance in January. Traveling on away soil, the man known as ‘Thunder’ delivered a career-defining performance to dethrone Subriel Matias with a sensational fifth-round finish, capturing the prestigious WBC super-lightweight title in the process. At the time, very few pundits or fans expected Smith to secure the belt in such emphatic fashion, particularly against an opponent renowned as one of the most formidable and heavy-handed punchers in the entire weight class. Furthermore, prior to that bout, questions remained regarding whether Smith had fully proven himself at the elite world level.
Instead of wilting under the heavy pressure, Smith demonstrated tremendous grit, tactical discipline, and undeniable courage to beat Matias at his own game. Having claimed the championship, he was quickly ordered to make his first defense against the division’s mandatory challenger, Alberto Puello. While the high-stakes matchup was originally scheduled to take place in June, the bout was pushed back after Smith sustained an injury during his initial training camp. The delay only served to heighten anticipation for the clash, which finally materialized this past weekend in what proved to be a compelling tactical battle.
For the opening five rounds of the encounter, it appeared that Smith would comfortably box his way to a convincing points victory. Displaying the slick technical skills that have become his trademark, the defending champion appeared to be in firm control of the contest, systematically neutralizing his opponent with consistent and well-timed right-hand counters. However, boxing is a game of shifting momentums. As the fight entered the championship rounds, Puello began to turn the tide. The challenger ramped up his work rate, finding success through marginally superior activity and sustained pressure that troubled the champion down the stretch.
When the final bell sounded, the contest was left in the hands of the ringside judges. Ultimately, the bout was decided by the slimmest of margins, with a split decision announced in favor of the defending champion, allowing Smith to retain his WBC strap and extend his remarkable undefeated professional record.
The razor-thin nature of the victory has naturally sparked debate throughout the boxing community regarding whether Puello did enough to snatch the title. Joining the conversation is domestic rival Adam Azim. Speaking in a recent interview with RS Boxing TV, the explosive super-lightweight contender offered his breakdown of the championship affair, revealing his frank view that Smith could easily have found himself on the losing side of the judges’ scorecards.
Offering a measured critique of the champion’s performance, Azim noted that while Smith ultimately achieved his objective, there were visible flaws in his output over the course of the twelve rounds.
“It was an okay performance; I wouldn’t say he done the best,” Azim told RS Boxing TV. “I think he wasn’t busy enough. But he still got the job done, and [Smith-Azim is] still a massive fight for the both of us. Puello won by one round, in my opinion. But it was still a great performance.”
Despite their divergent paths and the different stages they currently occupy in their respective professional journeys, a domestic dustup between Dalton Smith and Adam Azim continues to capture the imagination of British boxing fans. The potential matchup represents one of the most appealing and lucrative all-British showdowns that can currently be made in the sport, bringing together two of the nation’s brightest talents in the 140-pound division.
Before any such blockbuster domestic clash can be finalized, however, both men have their own immediate career trajectories to manage. Azim is currently looking to secure a return to active competition, having been out of the ring since his impressive victory over veteran Steve Claggett back in May. As the talented contender prepares for his next camp and looks to climb further up the world rankings, promotional company BOXXER has yet to officially announce the date and opponent for his next ring appearance.
