‘Timing beats speed’: Tony Bellew talks Dalton Smith vs Adam Azim

On January 10, at the Barclays Center in New York City, Subriel Matias vs Dalton Smith headlined a Fresh Productions card with Matias’ WBC super lightweight title up for grabs. 

It was a highly entertaining fight with both having their moments before Smith knocked down the heavy-handed Puerto Rican, leading to the referee waving the fight off. It was a memorable win for the Sheffield fighter, with attention quickly turning to who he could face next. Tony Bellew recently spoke to PokerScout about a potential Dalton Smith vs Adam Azim (14-0, 11 KOs) bout, revealing when he believes this should take place.

Dalton Smith Defeats Subriel Matias

Smith (19-0, 14 KOs) boxed well in the first round, using his jab and staying on the outside. He soon began trading with Matias (23-3, 22 KOs). The Puerto Rican was throwing flurries of punches that were catching the eye, but Smith produced the cleaner work.

The Sheffield fighter landed two big right hands that wobbled Matias in round five. A final clubbing right hand sent Matias to the canvas. Despite making it to his feet, the referee waved the fight off, making Dalton Smith the new WBC super lightweight champion.

Dalton Smith vs Adam Azim – Tony Bellew breaks it down

Talking to PokerScout, Bellew spoke about Smith vs Azim and the importance of timing and the attributes of both fighters:

“One thing that I think it does prove is it was right to wait. So everyone questions whether they should wait or not. I think the right thing now is to wait. Let this be a unification match. Let Adam Azim win a world title and then bring them together for a huge unification. I think it’ll be a fascinating match. I think Adam Azim reminds me of Amir Khan. Simply for the speed of his hands. Amir Khan has the fastest hands I’ve ever seen and witnessed. 

“He’s got the fastest hands that Britain’s ever seen. I think the only person that can compare with one punch shot speed is Floyd Mayweather, I’ve never seen speed like Amir Khan, it’s rapid and incredible. He can throw a 10 punch combination in the space of a second and a half, two seconds. The only other person that I can see who comes close to as Ryan Garcia when it comes to out and out hand speed.” 

“So I think when you talk about that hand speed and Dalton Smith’s timing, it very much reminds me of the fight pattern between Shane Mosley and Vernon Forrest. And timing beats speed, only if it’s used correctly, but I think Adam Azim has got a very smart trainer in Shane McGuigan. As I said before, I think Dalton Smith’s got a very good coach in Grant Smith,” added Bellew.

Making his pick for the potential Smith vs Azim showdown, Bellew said:

“So it could be a battle of the game plans. It could be a battle of who wants it more. I don’t know. But that fight fascinates me. Based on form and based on victories and who’s done what, I would edge towards Dalton Smith. But that’s quite obvious. Everyone leads towards Dalton Smith right now and the bookies would after that superb win over Subriel Matias.”

Smith vs Azim would be a great fight for British boxing and it feels like it’s just a matter of when. Who wins, and how?