'Put some respect on his name'

DALTON Smith and his father celebrated a hard-earned world title vi tory, a dream more than two decades in the making.

- By MARTIN DOMIN Boxing Correspondent

Smith claimed the super-lightweight champion title on Saturday night in New York, defeating Subriel Matias in the fifth round.

The 28 year old boxer has been trained by his father, Grant, since he was six, but he surprised everyone by abandoning their strategy to go head-to-head with Matias, a formidable opponent with 22 knockouts under his belt.

Despite Matias being allowed to defend his title following a failed drug test, he was left reeling from Smith's powerful right hooks, eventually succumbing to a knockout that led the referee to call off the match.

Promoter Eddie Hearn lauded Smith's unexpected triumph as the most impressive away win he'd ever witnessed.