Another Double Barrel Day of Boxing this Saturday: Dalton Smith vs Alberto Puello and Emanuel Navarrete vs O’Shaquie Foster

A full day of boxing awaits us this weekend, beginning in Sheffield, England and finishing in San Antonio, Texas. Two shotgun blasts from England and USA.

It’s bad boy day.

Super Lightweights in England

England’s Dalton “Thunder” Smith (19-0, 14 KOs makes his first defense of the WBC super lightweight title against Dominican Alberto “La Avispa” Puello (25-1, 11 KOs) on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Utilita in Sheffield. DAZN will stream the Matchroom Boxing card.

Smith has a reputation for knocking off Latino fighters, including the defeat of Puerto Rico’s Subriel Matias by knockout for the WBC title last January. Before that, Smith punched out Jose “Chon” Zepeda in five.

On Saturday, Smith will test his might against Dominican Puello, who isn’t known for his punching prowess but more so for his ability to take a punch and win. Can Smith’s power crack through Puello’s healthy chin?

“Its no easy fight. This is a world champion fight,” Smith said. “I’m always willing to fight whatever is in front of me and I’ve always come out victorious.”

Puello said that although Smith beat Matias, who beat him, the Dominican believes he has faced better competition during his career.

Another Smith win could lead to a showdown with Shakur Stevenson or Gary Antuanne Russell.

On the same Matchroom card, female flyweights Shannon Ryan (11-1) and Emma Dolan (9-1) clash for the British title.

Super Feathers in San Antonio

Super featherweight champions collide with IBF and WBO titlist Emanuel  “Vaquero” Navarrete (40-2-1, 33 KOs) of Mexico meeting WBC titlist O’Shaquie Foster (25-3, 12 KOs) on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. DAZN will stream the Top Rank card.

This is one of those evenly-matched fights between champions that pits two distinctively different styles against each other. Both are tall and lanky for the 130-pound weight class, and both have long arms and some pop.

Mexico City’s Navarrete, 31, is known for his unorthodox punching from different angles, including an uppercut he fires from long range. He catches opponents often with his array of blows. That uppercut is dangerous but can also be equally seen as a weakness against the sharp-shooting prowess of Foster.

“We know how important a victory would be and we made the preparations,” Navarrete said at the press conference. “What I don’t want is an entire night where we are just jabbing each other. I don’t think the people want to see that. They want to see a fight where both fighters are in a war and want to get the titles.”

Houston’s Foster has been tested against world champions like Stephen Fulton, Raymond Ford and Robson Conceicao. He’s also very familiar with Mexican style fighters such as Eduardo “Rocky” Hernandez and former featherweight champ Rey Vargas.

“My style is a little bit more difficult,” said Foster, who has yearned for this match for years. “I don’t fight to other people’s advantages. Whatever he brings to the table, I’ll adjust.”

Foster, 33, is a sharp-shooting striker with a very good jab and is equally adept in a shootout against heavy-hitters like Hernandez, whom he fought in October 2023. The fighter known as “Ice Water” is a cool customer, unafraid to meet any fighter in the ring, his size or bigger.

“I put a lot of work in for this one,” said Foster. “I feel like I’m in the prime of my career now.”

Both are champions with distinct styles and knowledge. It’s a true even battle between two of the best in the division.

“I’m going to do my best to perform for the people who came from far to watch,” Navarrete said.

“I’m coming in to dominate,” Foster said.

Los Angeles Downtown Event

Bernardo Marquez (14-5-1) headlines a boxing card filled with Southern California prospects when he faces Ramiro Robles (6-1) in the heavyweight main event on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Ace Mission Studios.

The DMG Promotions card, called Night of Champions, can be seen on Bash TV.

Five or more bouts are planned for the downtown Los Angeles area event. For more information, go to ticketsexpress.net/dmg-boxing. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the first event begins at 7:30 p.m.

Fights to Watch

Sat. DAZN  9 a.m. Dalton Smith (19-0) vs Alberto Puello (25-1).

Sat. DAZN  5 p.m. Emanuel Navarrete (40-2-1) vs O’Shaquie Foster (25-3).

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