Eddie Hearn is taking a look at the opportunity of matching up light-weight contender Maxi Hughes with Andy Cruz or junior welterweight Dalton Smith.
Smith, 17-0 (13 KOs), cemented his place as obligatory challenger for the WBC 140lbs title with a first-round stoppage victory over Walid Ouizza for the European title on January 25. With Alberto Puello and Sandor Martin combating for the vacant belt in March, and with them more likely to make a voluntary protection earlier than dealing with Smith, Hearn is searching for a big-name opponent to face Smith in the summertime.
The combat that has been known as for is a home dust-up between Smith and junior welterweight rival Adam Azim. Now 13-0 (10 KOs), Azim picked up the IBO title with an eight-round beatdown of former titleholder Sergey Lipinets. Azim was fast to name out Smith’s title after his victory, however in his subsequent breath he insisted the combat wanted to marinate.
Hearn appeared annoyed on the scenario and spoke to BoxingScene about what could possibly be subsequent for Smith.
“Hopefully Adam Azim, however he is received to marinate a little bit bit, apparently, so I do not know,” Hearn joked. “I imply, it is clearly very disappointing that they do not appear to need that combat, however, look, Dalton’s obligatory for the world title and we’d like a giant title.
“, if it is not Adam Azim, we’re keen to threat our obligatory place to maintain on rising that star, that profile and that model. So, yeah, we’ll see what’s subsequent, and count on to see him out early summer time.”
Final week, Hearn revealed that the plan is for Smith to headline a giant present in the summertime in his house metropolis of Sheffield, England. An opponent that has been rumored to face the rising star is light-weight contender Maxi Hughes. Hughes, 28-7-2 (6 KOs), has confronted some huge names at 135lbs, together with George Kambosos Jnr and William Zepeda – shedding to each, albeit Kambosos controversially. Hughes is coming off a victory over Gary Cully and likewise resides only a few miles down the highway, in Doncaster, England. An area derby between the 2 would absolutely promote out the Sheffield Area and is of curiosity to Hearn.
“We have supplied that combat to Maxi [Hughes] previously, however to be honest to him, he’s at 135lbs,” stated Hearn. “So there’s two fights I like for Maxi Hughes. One is Andy Cruz, and the opposite one is Dalton Smith – however [Hughes] must make the leap to 140lbs.
“It is a good all-Yorkshire combat. It is simply whether or not he is up for making that leap. I imply, he is been at light-weight for … he used to field at 140lbs, really, and he is been at 135lbs for a very long time. So, yeah, we’ll see if that is a risk.”
Hughes has stated he can be keen to face fellow light-weight contender and Olympic gold medallist Cruz.
“It is not likely been supplied [to Hughes],” stated Hearn. “I imply, I noticed him saying he’d be up for the combat, and once I have a look at the governing our bodies, we have to place Andy Cruz as a compulsory for the world title. Maxi’s well-ranked with the WBA, and he is nearly obligatory with the IBF as effectively. So, yeah, [Hughes] is in a great place, and he wants a giant combat.”
