Tony Bellew has given his view on Dalton Smith stepping up to take on Shakur Stevenson.
Smith took his record to 20 wins from 20 fights last weekend as he beat Alberto Puello to retain the WBC light-welterweight belt. The Sheffield man was due to make the defence back in June, but an elbow injury forced him to pull out.
He was taken the distance on the night and boxed well but got only a narrow win with two judges scoring the fight 115-113 in his favour and one 116-112 to Puello.
He won the belt back in January with a fifth round knockout of Subriel MatÃas out in New York and, at 29 years of age, is now looking to push on towards unification fights.
Speaking to DAZN Boxing, Bellew explained why he thinks a potential fight with American Stevenson should be left to stew for a while.
“Is it enough to fight Shakur Stevenson right now? It’s a fight that needs building. These two need to be on a collision course and then both of them get out of it what they should. But for me now, is there enough interest in it now? I’m not sure.”
Stevenson has just been released from his Zuffa Boxing contract despite not having fought with Dana White’s promotion. He grew frustrated after negotiations for fights with the likes of Devin Haney broke down and is now campaigning at 135lbs and 140lbs.
Stevenson is a skilled operator and four-weight world champion who has won only 11 of his 25 contests by KO, but would represent a huge step up for Smith if and when the two fight, though he has also previously admitted he would be happy to fight Conor Benn.
