Dalton Smith v Jose Zepeda - Tale of the Tape: Weight, height, reach, trainer & professional boxing records

We analyse the credentials and statistics of Dalton Smith and Jose Zepeda as the pair get set to contest an intriguing super-lightweight showdown on Saturday 23rd March.

Dalton Smith has long been talked as a future world champion and on March 23 he has an opportunity to demonstrate evidence which supports the prediction.

In the opposite corner will be Jose Zepeda - a man who is remembered most for his wild fight of the year contender in 2020 against Ivan Baranchyk, which must be seen to be believed.

Smith is climbing his way towards a world title shot at super-lightweight while Zepeda is slowly making his way down towards gatekeeper level.

This is must-win for Zepeda if he is to resurrect his career and move up the rankings while Smith needs to not only win but look good doing so.

With all that being said it’s time to look at the 'Tale of the Tape'.
 

Dalton Smith v Jose Zepeda
Tale of the Tape

	Dalton Smith	Jose Zepeda
Odds:	4/11	11/5
Age:	27	34
Nickname:	'Thunder'	N/A
Height:	5ft 9.5ins	5ft 8ins
Reach:	69ins	70ins
Weight:	Super-lightweight	Super-lightweight
Trainer:	Grant Smith	Manny Robles
Record:	15-0 (11 KOs)	37-4 (28 KOs)
Last Fight:	Won - (TKO) v Sam Maxwell (July 2023)	Lost - (UD) v Richardson Hitchins (September 2023)

Dalton Smith
In Profile

If Dalton Smith is to become a world champion, then he will have to do it the hard way such is the depth of the super-lightweight division.

His promoter Eddie Hearn already works with Smith, Regis Prograis, Richardson Hitchins, Jack Catterall, Liam Paro in the 140lb class and recently added Puerto Rican dangerman Subriel Matias to the Matchroom stable.

Above them are Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez while there is an argument for Ryan Garcia because of his profile and social media following, which brings more money to the table.

Smith’s performances have been hot and cold but has never looked in any danger of losing his unbeaten record since he has been moved to 10 and 12 round distance fights.

The 27-year-old is a fighter that needs to be challenged for everyone to see why Hearn and others are excited about his future.

Jose Zepeda will come to Smith’s turf - the Sheffield Arena - unbothered by reputation or the qualities that the betting favourite brings to the table.

Zepeda has been picked to make Smith look like he’s ready to move on to another level, but if he struggles then the 34-year-old may still have enough to bring the Yorkshireman down.

Strengths:	Weaknesses:
Forces mistakes from opponents	Gung-ho
Effective counter-puncher	Prone to cuts
The one-two combination	Waits too long to throw
Terrific finisher	Inconsistent performances

Jose Zepeda
In Profile

As always, Jose Zepeda will cut a confident figure when he takes to the ring to take on hometown hero Dalton Smith.

There's no doubt that the American is the more seasoned professional, having already shared a ring with the likes of Hitchins and Regis Prograis, as well as that absolute humdinger with Ivan Baranchyk.

He also boasts almost three times as many professional fights as his forthcoming British opponent.

But whilst that will stand him in good stead, it won't just win him this fight.

Zepeda carries battle scars from his wars, fatigue from his many training camps and even he will be questioning just what he has left in the tank as he appraoches the latter stages of his fighting career.

He’ll still get more fights in him regardless of the result, but there's no doubt that a heavy defeat could very well fast-track his own retirement plans.

Strengths:	Weaknesses:
Jab	Vulnerable when attacking
Sneaky counters on the inside	Struggles against traditional boxers
Engine	Lots of miles on the clock
Comfortable in exchanges	Easy to hit

All odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.