Philippines, 01 Apr 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Smith vs. Zepeda: Dalton Looks to Boost Resume in Sheffield Showdown


PhilBoxing.com





This Saturday afternoon (American Time) streaming live on DAZN from the Sheffield Arena Dalton Smith faces Jose Zepeda in a step up opportunity. Sandy Ryan vs. Terri Harper is the co-feature in what should be a good matchup as well. This card is promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing. Jose Zepeda is a solid veteran boxer who will be a legit litmus test for the unproven Dalton Smith.

Dating all the way back to 2015, Jose Zepeda suffered a dislocated shoulder in the 2nd round versus Terry Flanagan. Jose built his way back to a title shot winning 7 in a row. His fight against Jose Ramirez was a highly-competitive affair. It was Zepeda boxing well in the first part of the fight. Jose’s jab and footwork caused issues for a come-forward Ramirez. Eventually Jose Ramirez was able to cut the ring off, attack Zepeda’s body, and land the heavier punches.

Later in the fall of that same year Zepeda earned his best win at the time over Jose Pedraza. Two fights later Zepeda would engage in a hellish war with Ivan Baranchyk. In what was a truly brutal scarp featuring a combined 8 knockdowns. In 2022 and 2023 Jose Zepeda would lose to Regis Prograis and Richardson Hitchins. Wear and tear has clearly caught up to Zepeda and rightfully so, delivering us boxing fans a few grueling performance.

Does Jose Zepeda have enough in the tank to give young Dalton Smith a run for his money? The 14-0 rising prospect who was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire will be looking to give his hometown a show. In his last time out Dalton Smith handled Sam Maxwell with ease, stopping him in the 7th round. Dalton is an efficient puncher who doesn’t throw wild combinations. One could say Smith gets a little wild with his lead, leaping left hooks though.

Beyond the leaping left hooks, Dalton likes to use his jab either to score points or paw with it to distract his opponent and gauge distance. He has good timing, he’s quick handed and generally looks to operate in the middle of the ring. Dalton will need to be patient and smart from the beginning dealing with a crafty guy like Zepeda. Smith has a potent right hand he likes to aim to the body or head. He will also throw that right hand straight behind a jab or looping it to the upstairs target.

Both men have sustained damage in their career. Whether were talking punishment and injury for Zepeda, or getting cut like Dalton has in his last two fights. It will take a little while for Dalton Smith to adjust to Jose Zepeda so look for a tit-for-tat type of vibe in the first couple of frames. Youth and energy from the home crowd will likely prevail by night’s end. If you believe Dalton Smith doesn’t have the goods Jose Zepeda is great value sitting around a +225 to +250 on the boxing betting sites.

My Official Prediction is Dalton Smith by Majority-Decision.
PODCAST LINK: http://tobtr.com/12324579 or https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rope-a-dope-radio-podcast/id514483886

Side Note: Also, keep an eye out for Sandy Ryan vs. Teri Harper along with Ishmael Davis vs. live dog Troy Williamson on the DAZN undercard.

Written by Chris Carlson Host/Producer of The Rope A Dope Radio Podcast Available at www.blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Chris Carlson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Is Floyd chickening out?
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • Bacaro to challenge Toyoshima on April 4
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • IBA steps forward as potential organiser for Bivol vs Beterbiev trilogy bout
    , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • PBF president Almario dies
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • Portland Trail Blazers have new owner after $4.25 billion sale
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • 2 Time World Champion Marcos Maidana Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 MARCH 2026: Itauma Destroys Franklin in 5; Fundora Dismantles Thurman in 6
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • Panamanian WBC Judge Jesus Aleman murdered in Panama
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • ‘I won’t be holding anything back! – Big Bad Bazley challenges The Pilgrim Ryan Williams for Heavyweight title May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • ZAYAS AND BOOTS CLASH IN UNIFIED BLOCKBUSTER AT BARCLAYS CENTER, BROOKLYN ON JUNE 27 – LIVE AND EXCLUSIVE ON DAZN PPV
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Full Card to Join Taduran Vs. Perez on Friday, April 3, at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. Live on ESPN Knockout
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • 13-0 prospect Marco Romero hasn’t lost a Fight in nearly 7 years and he’s only 20
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • WORLD ELITE SUMO ANNOUNCES NEW DATE – SATURDAY, MAY 16 – FOR LIVE PROFESSIONAL SUMO EVENT AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • Filipino boy, 15, wins US chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • 60 Years of Top Rank: Bob Arum’s First Fight Launched a Boxing Empire
    , Mon, 30 Mar 2026
  • Lebron James and son Bronny make NBA History
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 30 Mar 2026
  • Bryan Acosta Wins WBA Continental Americas Featherweight Championship with Unanimous Decision over Ronny Rios in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Thunder Studios in Long Beach
    , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Filipino boy, 9, wins in Canada chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Vagabov and Ziyaev crowned champions at IBA Bare Knuckle 4 in Saint Petersburg
    , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Sherwin Tiu captures Kamatyas Open Chess crown
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Fundora vs Thurman: Can Keith Thurman Shake Off The Rust?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Albert Ramirez Against Lerrone Richards for the WBA Interim Light Heavyweight World Title on June 4 in Montreal!
    , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • GM Daniel Quizon is the Favorite in 19th Kamatyas
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Weights From ‘Acosta vs. Rios’ Event from Thunder Studios in Long Beach, Calif., and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV
    , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC maintains priority of the defense of fighters
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.