We analyse the credentials and statistics of Dalton Smith and Walid Ouizza as the pair get set to go head-to-head for the EBU European title in Nottingham.
European title fights can pit two boxers with world title aspirations against one another for the prestigious blue belt, but, equally, we often see one fighter on the rise facing a little-known opponent.
Dalton Smith’s bout against Walid Ouizza for the vacant EBU 140lbs title, on 25th January, falls into the latter category.
Smith made a real statement last time out, halting former world title challenger Jose Zepeda inside five rounds. The Yorkshireman will look to build on that performance by dispatching of his rival promptly.
For Ouizza, this is the opportunity to change his career. If the Frenchman can upset the odds by defeating the highly touted prospect, further marquee fights will follow.
Who will prevail?
Let’s look at the 'Tale of the Tape'...
Dalton Smith | Walid Ouizza | |
Age: | 27 | 35 |
Nickname: | 'Thunder' | N/A |
Height: | 5ft 9 ½ ins | N/A |
Reach: | N/A | N/A |
Weight: | Super-lightweight | Super-lightweight |
Trainer: | Grant Smith | Unknown |
Record: | 16-0 (12 KOs) | 19-2 (8 KOs) |
Last Fight: | W – (KO5) v Jose Zepeda (March 2024) | W – (UD10) v Bryan Venant Fanga (July 2023) |
Dalton Smith’s road to a European super-lightweight title shot has been a convoluted one.
The Sheffield fighter was the mandatory challenger for former champion Adam Azim, but ‘The Assassin’ opted to vacate the belt.
‘Thunder’ was then scheduled to battle Jon Fernandez in September, but an injury forced the Englishman to withdraw from the bout.
There was talk of rescheduling the contest for December but the ailment prevented that too.
The EBU then called for Fernandez to fight Pierce O’Leary for the strap, but the bout never came to fruition.
Now, Ouizza is the man in the opposite corner, as Smith finally gets the chance to capture the famous blue belt, with the caveat that the winner will have to face whoever is victorious between O’Leary and Fernandez.
The Frenchman is a backwards step for the 27-year-old who looked like a future world champion as he halted Jose Zepeda last March.
Smith will hope to make an emphatic statement before moving on to bigger and better things.
Strengths | Weaknesses |
Timing | Can be outworked |
Jab | Open to the overhand right |
Balance | Can have lapses in concentration |
Footwork |
Technically Walid Ouizza has already been a European champion, sort of.
The Frenchman has won the secondary and tertiary version of the EBU belt: the European Union and Silver straps.
Now, he has the chance to add the real title to his collection.
Despite having to travel, the 33-year-old will be unfazed, as in his only other bout outside of his native country, he outpointed Alejandro Moya in Spain.
Like Smith, Moya was an undefeated prospect, although one with a lower ceiling.
Since suffering two early-career defeats, Ouizza has subsequently been on an 11-fight winning streak, picking up the French and, wonderfully named, WBC Francophone belts along the way.
While the Frenchman is limited, he is game and aggressive.
If Ouizza can defy the odds, it will be the upset of the year.
Strengths | Weaknesses |
Durability | Doesn’t bring the jab back to his chin |
Body shots | Stays in range too long |
Combination punching | Open to straight shots |
Applies pressure |