Dalton Smith vs Gary Russell Is A Fight Worth Making At 140 Now
WBA 140-pound champion Gary Antuanne Russell vs WBC champion Dalton “Thunder” Smith is a fight that needs to happen. The winner of the fight would take one step towards deciding who is the top dog of the division.
It’s unclear if WBO champion Shakur Stevenson will stay in the division. Furthermore, he wants a high-profile fight with WBC 147-pound champion Ryan Garcia. He has expressed a desire to fight at a catchweight of 144 pounds with a rehydration clause.
IBF champion Richardson Hitchins isn’t interested in making a unification with Smith. Instead, he has been calling out WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney. Despite the fact that he and Smith share the same promoter, there has been no news of a unification pursuit from either camp.
WHY THE FIGHT NEEDS TO HAPPEN
Russell, on the other hand, wants a unification against the WBC champion. He has come under scrutiny from 3Kings Boxing’s Michael Wilson Jr. for his performance against Andy Hiraoka. In addition, a victory erases all doubts of whether he has what it takes to be the run the division. Also, a unification would force the WBA to elevate him to super champion status.
Smith would welcome the challenge as his confidence is through the roof since dethroning two-time champion Subriel Matias in dramatic fashion. In fact, from a stylistic view, this would be a very entertaining bout.
The WBC champion has still has things that he needs to prove, as well. Several pundits aren’t completely sold on him. The believe Matias’s come-forward, brawler style was tailormade for Smith. He has solid power, can take a punch, and is a good counter-puncher, which would be problematic for Russell.
It is worth mentioning that the WBC ordered Thunder to defend the title against one-time champion Alberto Puello. However, a unification is a better fight for the sport and would cancel the mandatory order. The time to make Smith vs Russell is now.
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