Dalton Smith blasts Walid Ouizza away in first round to claim European title

Dalton Smith blasts Walid Ouizza away in one round to claim vacant European title

Dalton Smith (17-0, 13KO) destroyed Walid Ouizza (19-3, 8KO) in just one round to claim the vacant European super-lightweight title on January 25 in Nottingham.

The 27-year-old from Sheffield started patiently, landing a lovely one-two 30 seconds into the 12-round contest. The Frenchman wasn't fast or sharp enough; every time he threw a jab, Smith countered back in a flash, especially with the right hand.

Ouizza kept coming forward, being busy, but his chin was high in the air and kept getting his head snapped back. A big counter left hand from Smith made Ouizza backpedal, but he came back on the advance again.

Then, another big right hand counter troubled Ouizza, which smith sensed and came forward with a big body punch. Smith was too fast and powerful, With just 20 seconds to go, he opened up with a volley of long shots that just rocked Ouizza from side to side despite his high guard and he dutifully went down.

Back to his feet, he stood back in range only for Smith to land a single left hook to drop him again right as the bell sounded, with referee Jon Fernandez waving the fight off at the same time.

Post-fight, Smith said, "It was a frustrating back end of the year, and tonight I knew I'd come here and perform because there was a lot of built up frustration. That momentum I wanted to keep going, I knew I'd pick it up tonight, I'm hungrier than ever.

"I prepared for 12 rounds. Walid Ouizza's never been stopped, beat some good opposition, former European champion, but to come out and do that after 10 months out, I'm only gonna get better."

Smith has now collected seven belts: English / WBA Inter-Continental / WBC International Silver / British / Commonwealth / WBC Silver / European.

Ellie Scotney v Mea Motu - IBF & WBO super-bantamweight titles

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Poetry in motion, the unbeaten 26-year-old won with dominant scores of 99-91 x3.

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