With the odds stacked against him, it ultimately came down to Smith’s self-belief.
“I thought they can try and deter us as much as they want but I’m going to smile through it because I know on Saturday night my hand will be raised and I’ll become a world champion,” he says.
It was the manner of victory that caught even seasoned boxing observers by surprise. Rather than boxing cautiously, Smith fought fire with fire, standing toe-to-toe with one of the division’s most feared punchers.
Smith absorbed heavy shots but never wavered. In his corner was the constant presence of his father and trainer, Grant Smith.
Grant has always allowed the focus to remain on his fighter – until the emotion of the moment took over. Taking the microphone in the ring, he reeled off his son’s achievements.
“An ABA schoolboy title, a British schoolboy title, an ABA junior title, a British junior title, a GB youth title, a senior ABA title, English, British outright in 12 months, European, Commonwealth and now WBC world champion, baby. That’s never been done in the history of England boxing,” Grant said, his voice cracking with pride.
It is no mystery where the new world champion gets his resilience from.
Nearly two decades ago, Grant survived being struck by a 56-tonne tram while out running. Left temporarily blind and deaf, he required brain surgery and was given days to live. Within weeks, he discharged himself from hospital and returned to the gym.
“My dad’s had his own battles. He had his accident and that’s why we’ve both got the tattoo on our chest – ‘never give up on life’,” Dalton says.
“That comes from him getting through his own adversity, and I feel like he’s ingrained that in us.”
