Tony Bellew has declared that a bout between Conor Benn and Dalton Smith would “make the country go wild,” positioning the all-British showdown as the definitive solution to Benn’s current career stagnation. The former WBA super-middleweight champion made the comments on the DAZN broadcast following Smith’s narrow victory over Alberto Puello to retain his WBC super-lightweight title. Bellew emphasized that the spectacle of two British heavyweights colliding would transcend technical concerns, stating, “If Dalton Smith fights Conor Benn, it takes over this whole country… that is the fight that explodes him to the grandmother.”
Key Match Highlights & Tactical Analysis
The proposed matchup presents a significant logistical hurdle, as Benn recently dropped down to welterweight to challenge Ryan Garcia for the WBC title. Benn’s strategy backfired dramatically, as he was stopped by “King Ry” inside just two rounds, exposing his inability to compete effectively at 147 pounds. While Benn is expected to return at 160 pounds, Smith competes at 140 pounds, creating a minimum 20-pound weight disparity. Despite this gap, Bellew insists the commercial and cultural impact of the fight outweighs the weight class issue, arguing it is the only scenario that can reignite public interest in Benn’s boxing career after his recent setbacks.
Benn’s return timeline remains uncertain following his loss to Garcia, but the suggestion of a Smith fight offers a viable, high-profile alternative to waiting for another world title shot. Smith’s resilience in keeping his WBC crown against Puello demonstrates his ability to handle pressure, making him a credible, if unconventional, opponent for Benn. For Benn, whose 2025 record includes two middleweight outings and a welterweight defeat, a win against a world champion like Smith could serve as the necessary momentum builder to restore his standing in the global boxing landscape.
Source: Boxing News Online
