Odds-defying world title win flew under the radar

Sheffield's Dalton Smith became just the fifth current British male world champion with little fanfare, writes Steve Bunce, but the fallout from his New York victory could be substantial

- Steve Bunce

It was one of the truly great wins in a world title fight by a British boxer on the road, against the odds. It certainly went under the radar but its significance on the world stage and, more importantly, on the domestic front could be incredible.

Smith's stunning win places him high on the list of great wins by British underdogs in world title fights away from home, with its comforts and the security of familiarity. There is more to a win than just having your hand raised.

Smith now walks in the footsteps left by a truly elite gang of British boxers, men who defied far more than the odds when they won world titles overseas: Lloyd Honeyghan in 1986, Ken Buchanan heroically in 1970, Tyson Fury in 2015 and 2020 and Kell Brook in 2014.

The 28-year-old from Sheffield had to dig deep; he had to survive a lot of pressure, a lot of power and that is why he joins the best. It was low-key but it was a memorable win, a real fight with true grit.

He joins heavyweight Fabio Wardley, welterweight Lewis Crocker, super-featherweight Jazza Dickens and featherweight Nick Ball as one of the UK's five current male world champions.