Dalton Smith vs Walid Ouizza Predictions: Europe and then the world for ‘Thunder’

Dalton Smith goes continental this Saturday, January 25 as he meets Walid Ouizza for the vacant European super lightweight title. The bout headlines at the Nottingham Arena with DAZN broadcasting the event live. Smith’s WBC silver super lightweight belt will also be on the line.

Here are my Smith vs Ouizza predictions ahead of this title showdown.

Dalton Smith vs Walid Ouizza Odds

Smith is a rampaging favourite here at 1/20, which makes sense considering the fact this fight is viewed as his last hurrah at anything less than world level. Ouizza is 8/1 to pull off an early shout for Upset of the Year. A draw is available to back at 20/1.

Fight Preview

Smith levelled up last time out, crumpling Jose Zepeda with a body shot in round five. The Mexican had just taken America’s Richardson Hitchins the full distance and had thrice challenged for world titles in his career. But the Sheffield fighter scored the most decisive win anyone ever has over Zepeda.

Critics will point to the fact Zepeda was 35 years of age, but he had been active. Every defeat on his record before Smith had come at the hands of either a former, reigning or future world champion. Time will tell whether Smith fits into the latter category.

The early signs are good, with Smith having gone 16-0 in his pro career so far. ‘Thunder’ has won British and Commonwealth titles and his goal has been securing a European title. That looked set to come true last year, before a September fight with Jon Fernandez for the belt was cancelled.

Smith finally gets his shot at continental glory here and one wonders if it will be the last time we see him fighting below world level. The 27-year-old is already ranked third by the WBC, by virtue of the silver title he won against Zepeda. Once he ticks the European box, the Sheffield puncher’s head will surely turn to world endeavours.

But it is never unwise to overlook the challenge that lies immediately in front of you. Ouizza has not had the career of accomplished recent scalp Zepeda, but the Frenchman is in good form domestically. The WBC Francophone champion and a former French, EU and EBU silver kingpin, the 33-year-old knows his way around a championship match.

After going 8-2 in his first 10 fights back in the 2010s, Ouizza is on an 11-fight winning run. In his last three outings he has beaten two unbeaten boxers, 17-0 Alejandro Moya and 13-0 Charlemagne Metonyekpon. The Frenchman will not be intimidated by Smith’s unblemished record.

Ouizza is also no stranger to getting a result in an opponent’s backyard. While he has only left France once to box professionally, that win over Moya did come on the Spaniard’s home turf. Smith will have raucous support in Nottingham, but it is unlikely to be anything Ouizza hasn’t seen before.

With Ouizza having experience of most of the trappings surrounding this fight, it ultimately comes down to how they pair in the ring. Smith has the power advantage, with 12 knockouts in 16 fights. His opponent has only mustered eight in his 19 victories.

Smith is more seasoned too, despite being six years younger. His level of competition has been higher than that of Ouizza. With this in mind, the fact ‘Thunder’ has never lost, nor even been in the amount of close fights Ouizza has, suggests he is comfortable fighting someone of the Frenchman’s level. 

I feel that will manifest on the night. Ouizza is game and he is certainly not coming to lay down. But I do feel the Brit is just far superior to the visitor in every department. This will be a rewarding fight for Smith, with his long-awaited European title in the offing. I just don’t think it will be a particularly challenging one.

Smith vs Ouizza Full Card

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Smith vs Ouizza Prediction

I think this will be business as usual for Smith. ‘Thunder’ will turn up, size up his man and close the show. I’m picking Smith by knockout in rounds 4-6 at 11/4. This task suits Smith and I think he will impress on the last stop before an assault on world level.

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