CONSTRUCTING a world champion in boxing is an art form in itself.

Olympians and amateur champions very rarely enjoy the same level of success in the paid ring, despite money and TV opportunity getting thrown their way from their first fight.

Prince Naseem Hamed, Ricky Hatton and Joe Calzaghe are some of the British ring’s most successful fighters from the last 30 years and yet all three turned pro with initially very little fanfare.

Their careers were guided and steered from one opponent to the next in order to combine both experience and confidence-boosting wins with talent and dedication.

Once a career gets into double figure wins, incrementally the opposition will increase in order to ensure development.

STEP UP

Along the way there has to be benchmark opponents. Foes that check on the true potential of the athlete and also ensure a promoter isn’t wasting time or money on a fighter who’s lacking.

Dalton Smith has aspirations to become a world champion. Undefeated in 14 fights, the 26-year-old from Sheffield aims to secure a Lonsdale Belt outright this weekend with a successful third defence.

But he’s stepping up to take on the most accomplished opponent to date.

Liverpool’s Sam Maxwell was the British champion before Smith and only relinquished the belt for a shot at a fringe internationally recognised title.

And whilst the 34-year-old would subsequently suffer the only defeat in his 18-fight paid career, he knows all too well how a second loss at this stage what be incredibly tough to bounce back from.

EXPERIENCE

An impressive youth medallist as an amateur, Smith turned pro at 21 under the tutelage of his father Grant and has hardly put a foot wrong.

In just five years he’s established himself as one of the UK’s leading prospects, without actually beating anybody of note. He won the British title only last summer, yet has already squeezed in two successful defences.

However, the performances have drawn criticism for the first time. Is he simply domestic level?

Hopefully, Maxwell will ensure Smith answers those questions.

TIMING

The slick Scouser had a successful senior amateur career with a medal from the Commonwealth Games and includes standouts like Vasyl Lomachenko on his resume.

As a pro, he has had to find his way from the leisure centre cards and earn his stripes but cruised most of the way to British title success in the summer of 2021.

However, he’s fought just twice since, inactivity that’s also seen him change trainers and question his future in the ring.

That ensures Maxwell is both focused but also ring rusty, opening the door for a quick start from Smith roared on by a vociferous home support.

The challenger has to warm into the fight quickly and hurt Smith frequently to force him into his shell. But he’ll likely need a knockdown or two in order to sway the judges as Smith’s dominates the punch stats.

I doubt we’ll get all the answers required to make an accurate assessment of Smith’s world title potential. But by the final bell we’ll know whether he is ready to move beyond domestic opposition.

TIP: Smith on Points