Dalton Smith (15-0, 11 KO) vs Jose Zepeda (37-4, 28 KO), super lightweights, 12 rounds
Odds: Smith -400, Zepeda +300 (DraftKings)
Smith, 27, is someone Matchroom hope will be a rising star at 140, and he's done the job thus far, winning the British and Commonwealth titles. Last fought in July, stopping Sam Maxwell in the seventh round. Clashes heads a lot, brings more action (and power) than the average British prospect.
Zepeda, 34, hasn't had a good performance against a relevant opponent since his blitzing of Josue Vargas in 2021, and frankly Vargas just isn't very good, either. You might have to go back to the 2020 bubble and his thrilling win over Ivan Baranchyk to really find his last truly good outing. Tends to fight up and down to opposition, and is also aging. Looked helpless against Richardson Hitchins last time out, but Smith fights nothing like Hitchins. His win over professional bozo Neeraj Goyat in March 2023 was his last W.
Scott Christ
Total domination from Sandy Ryan, Harper stopped after four
Scott Christ
Next up!
Sandy Ryan (6-1-1, 2 KO) vs Terri Harper (14-1-2, 6 KO), welterweights, 10 rounds, for Ryan’s WBO title
Odds: Ryan -400, Harper +300 (DraftKings)
Ryan, 30, has really proven herself in a short period of time. She fought sturdy veteran Erica Farias in her fourth pro bout in 2022, lost, and went right to a rematch, performing much better against a solid opponent and getting the win. She took the vacant WBO belt 11 months ago with a win over Marie Pier Houle, then got jobbed with a draw against Jessica McCaskill in a three-belt unification last time out in September.
Harper, 27, has won world titles at 130 and 154, now dips down to 147 to go for a third division. She's learned on the job as a pro, really, didn't have a long amateur run, and is usually pretty fun to watch. She's also coming off of a draw, against Cecilia Braekhus last October, where Terri found out she didn't much like the physicality of someone who carries 154 lbs better than she does.
Scott Christ
SCORES: 117-111, 116-112, 116-112 for Ishmael Davis
Scott Christ
Next up!
Ishmael Davis (12-0, 6 KO) vs Troy Williamson (20-2-1, 14 KO), super welterweights, super welterweights, 12 rounds
Odds: Davis -280, Williamson +220 (DraftKings)
This fight was canceled yesterday after Williamson badly missed weight, but ultimately it was agreed it would go on. So here it is.
Davis, 28, has never gone past the eighth round, and has only had one scheduled 10-rounder in his career, this will be his first set for 12. Last fight was a win in November over Ewan Mackenzie (TKO-8).
Williamson, 32, has been a quality operator at the high end of domestic level for a while, winning the British 154 lb title in 2021 by battering Ted Cheeseman. He lost that to Josh Kelly in a one-sided decision in 2022, and last time out dropped a decision to prospect Caoimhin Agyarko in December.
Scott Christ
SCORES: SCORES: 98-92, 97-94, 97-95 for Flint!
Scott Christ
Flint and Hatton both brought it, really good fight, we go to the cards
Scott Christ
Scott Christ
Next up!
Jimmy Joe Flint (13-1-2, 3 KO) vs Campbell Hatton (14-0, 5 KO), super lightweights, 10 rounds
Odds: Hatton -220, Flint +175 (DraftKings)
ThE cEnTrAL ArEa TiTLe iS oN tHe LiNe !!1
Flint, 26, is actually defending the regional BBBofC belt here, which he beat Joe Garside to win in March 2023, defending against Adam Sircar in a draw last October. He's not particularly great or even looking like a possible top domestic guy, but he's a pro and a scrapper and a fine step for Lil' Hatton. Could be a good fight!
Hatton, 23, ain't his dad and ain't gonna be his dad, but he's shown improvements and a greater dedication to body punching, and has become kinda fun to watch. That's probably his greatest upside, something in line with his uncle (and trainer) Matthew's career and some great domestic dust-ups along the way.