Kaisee Benjamin has vowed to provide Dalton Smith with the toughest test of his career.
The once-defeated Birmingham fighter is the mandatory challenger to the British super-lightweight title.
Benjamin (16-1-1, 6 KOs) was last in action in June at the Skydome in Coventry, exclusively live on Channel 5, as he outpointed Serge Ambomo over six rounds.
And after seeing Smith dazzle at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield earlier this month to claim the Lonsdale belt for which he is next in line, Benjamin turned his attention to the former amateur star who is now 12-0 with 10 quick since turning professional.
Benjamin told Boxing Social recently:
“It was a very good performance and Dalton was punch-perfect, at the same time, the fight wasn’t exactly a hard one.
“I thought your man [Smith’s opponent] would have put up a bit more of a fight, he didn’t really throw any punches. He got hit with a few shots and he didn’t want to be in there.”
Smith, who is coached by his father Grant and managed by Paul Ready and Sean O’Toole at STN Sports while being promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom, dropped his fellow Yorkshireman Sam O’Maison three times en route to a sixth-round stoppage, with referee Marcus McDonnell having seen enough with five seconds remaining in the first half of the fight.
But Benjamin believes he’ll be a much harder fight than O’Maison, who slipped to 17-4-1 (7 KOs) in defeat, if he gets his opportunity to fight for the prestigious silverware soon.
Benjamin added:
“It was an easy British title fight, probably one of the easiest British title fights I’ve ever seen, but hopefully he gets to defend it against me at the end of the year and we will put on a great fight.
“He’s a good boxer with a bit of power, but his chin hasn’t been tested yet and if we fight, I’ll test his chin.
“Mine has been tested so he ain’t going to get me out of there, but if the fight is definitely on, I think I’m going to have to look to stop him.”