Eddie Hearn has revealed the British fighter he believes will become a star next year, with 25 year old Dalton Smith the man Hearn believes is the cream of the crop in terms of domestic talents.
Speaking on DAZN boxing, Hearn elected to go for Smith, who won the British light welterweight title earlier this year, ahead of the likes of Adam Azim and Ben Whittaker.
“There’s so many to choose from, but I like Dalton Smith in the UK, I think he’s a very good prospect at 140lbs.”
Smith is currently signed to Hearn’s Matchroom, however that could all change in the coming months, with the Sheffield fighter linked to a move to rival promoter Boxxer.
Sky Sports, Boxxer’s official broadcast partner, have already staged one of ‘Thunder’s fights when his first defence of the British title against Kaisee Benjamin featured on the undercard of Natasha Jonas vs Marie Eve Dicaire last month.
Hearn will no doubt be desperate to keep hold of Smith, who is widely regarded as one of his best prospects and is tipped to become a world champion in the future.
Trained by his father Grant, Smith has already headlined a show in his hometown, winning the British title against his city compatriot Sam O’Maison at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield.
Losing Smith in the early part of next year would be a bitter blow for Matchroom, but Hearn remains optimistic that the highly rated star will stay under his promotional banner having delivered title shots for so many of his charges.