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In a cruel and unforgiving sport, Dalton Smith provides a welcome dose of joy

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5 months ago

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The wave of traveling fans made their presence well known as they crowded into McMahon’s Irish Pub in Brooklyn, which probably left neighbors wondering what the hell was going on.

Well, the modern world champion was in town.

Dalton Smith was still in dreamland.

In the hours after Subriel Matias’ sensational, instantly iconic knockout in Brooklyn on January 10, Smith’s dad and trainer, Grant, could be heard reminding anyone who would listen: “My son is the world champion!”

Smith jumped behind the bar, poured a pint of Guinness and enjoyed it, even though he wasn’t a substantial drinker, while those in attendance toasted the newest world champion.

Earlier in the day, Smith’s face was plastered on a billboard in Times Square, and the father-son duo were visibly moved as Eddie Hearn presented them with their modern belt in the heart of Up-to-date York.

What a tumultuous 24 hours.

The scene of Grant falling to the floor with his son in his arms, overcome with emotion and the magnitude of their achievement, was enough to almost make you feel heated about this often frosty, obscure sport.

“What he and I have achieved is huge [Grant] deserves recognition,” Smith told ESPN.

This is what boxing does best.

Just when you feel like you’ve had enough, Dalton Smith comes along, wins the world title and reminds you what it’s all about.

It wasn’t just about what he had done: the boy from Sheffield in northern England had climbed the often treacherous, toxic and unforgiving boxing ladder to the top with his father, leaving home to beat a guy who had failed a drug test in November but was cleared to fight anyway.

That alone would be pretty special.

But this is the way he did it.

Competing with a perilous punch, beating Matias at his own game, pocketing him and finishing in round 5.

“I felt like I was fading a little bit, so I just kept going. Whether it was the right tactic or not, I felt comfortable there and I did my job in great style, so no complaints,” Smith said.

“As crazy as it sounds, even though I was going through war and tears, I enjoyed it. I thought, ‘I’m fighting a real fight here,’ and I enjoyed every moment.”

“I think I would have gone through hell that night to get that win because it meant so much to me. Even though it was a tough and fun fight, I felt comfortable there.”

He still has stitches above his eye, although the swelling has subsided somewhat.

It all still hits me.

Questions about what’s next, who’s next and when inevitably arise stout and brisk for the modern champion. Maybe he even had dreams of a reunion, maybe Teofimo Lopez or Shakur Stevenson.

But fans should savor this moment as much as Smith did.

Britain’s modern pride crossed the ocean to pull off one of the best punches and grabs in history, and proved that sometimes the good guys – even in boxing – finish first.

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Boxing

Deontay Wilder focuses on next opponent: “We will make it happen”

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20 minutes ago

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June 5, 2026

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Deontay Wilder zeroes in on next opponent: “We’re gonna make it happen”

Deontay Wilder appears to be in talks for his next appearance, which may include negotiations with Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn.

The former WBC heavyweight champion scored a split decision victory over Derek Chisora ​​in April, scoring two knockouts in a mostly close 12-round fight.

Previously, Wilder claimed that approx seventh-round finish over Tyrrell Herndon after consecutive defeats to Zhilei Zhang and Joseph Parker.

Chisora’s triumph therefore came at a critical moment, although many remain convinced that the 40-year-old should implement his retirement plan.

An imminent departure from the sport, however, seems increasingly unlikely as the ‘Bronze Bomber’ is currently considering a possible rematch with fellow veteran Chisora.

Unlike Wilder, Chisora ​​promised that their first meeting would be his last fight, believing that his 50th professional fight would be a suitable event from which he would retire.

However, the way their clash ended inspired the 42-year-old to demand an immediate rematch, hoping for a more favorable outcome next time.

I’m talking to Daily mail boxChisora ​​managed to get a response from Wilder via FaceTime, and the American expressed interest in withdrawing him.

“Hell yes. We’ll make it happen.”

Chisora ​​added that he intended to speak to Hearn, suggesting he was a free agent with the promotion and wanted to strike a deal with the Matchroom boss.

However, although he verbally agreed to a rematch, there is of course no guarantee that Wilder will ultimately put pen to paper.

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Boxing

Elijah Holyfield wins his WWE Evolve debut with an Uppercut Finisher

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2 hours ago

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June 5, 2026

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Elijah Holyfield, son of former undisputed heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, won his first WWE Evolve match on June 3, defeating Kai Kavari in the company’s developmental program.

According to material published by Bleacher ReportHolyfield ended the fight with a right hand and pinned Kavari. WWE calls the finisher “The Uppercut”, a move modeled after his father’s boxing. Pro Wrestling Dot Net reported that the fight lasted 1 minute and 14 seconds.

According to SEScoops, Holyfield went through a series of Stinger Splashes and Spinebusters before delivering the final blow.

His father, a former cruiserweight and heavyweight world champion and member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, built much of his ring identity on body striking and combination work during a career spanning the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.

From the NFL to the ring

Holyfield’s path to WWE didn’t go through boxing. He played running back at the University of Georgia and signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and later spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles and Cincinnati Bengals. He appeared in one regular-season NFL game during the 2020 season.

A 2022 knee injury he suffered while on the Bengals’ roster ended his football career and redirected him toward wrestling.

WWE path

Holyfield signed a WWE developmental contract in November 2024. He competed in the first season of the WWE reality show LFG (Legends and Future Greats), where he mentored The Undertaker and earned a contract that placed him on the Evolve brand.

His ring debut was delayed due to injury. According to multiple wrestling outlets, he suffered a torn bicep in delayed 2025 and required surgery. He is 27 years ancient.

The June 3 episode of Evolve was taped at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida and streamed on Tubi in the United States.

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Boxing

Katie Taylor says the September 5 fight will be her last

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4 hours ago

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June 5, 2026

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Image: Katie Taylor Says September 5 Fight Will Be Her Last

Katie Taylor’s farewell fight is now official.

On Thursday, Matchroom Boxing announced that Taylor will return to Dublin’s Croke Park on September 5 to defend her WBO, WBA, IBF and Ring Magazine titles against undefeated French challenger Flora Pili. The vacant WBC title is also at stake, giving Taylor a chance to become a three-time undisputed champion.


The event will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN and is expected to attract over 80,000 fans to Ireland’s national stadium.

“It seems like the perfect way to end – to become Undisputed Champion once again on our national stadium that holds such a special place in Irish hearts. I’m grateful that this is happening and I can’t thank the people of this country enough for the support I’ve received over the years.

“People have traveled all over the world following my career and I hope I can return the favor with a confident performance on September 5. I have no illusions that Flora will pose a very arduous challenge; she is undefeated as a professional and has a good amateur pedigree, so I have the utmost respect for her.

“I have been blessed to have achieved more in this sport than I could have ever dreamed of, but fighting in Croke Park is truly the icing on the cake. I hope this event inspires a whole recent generation to take up sport and follow their passions.”

Taylor enters the fight with a 25-1 record. The event, which will take place on September 5, will be the first professional boxing event held in Croke Park since Muhammad Ali fought Alvin Lewis there in 1972.

Pili brings an undefeated record of 12-0 to the fight and will be looking for the biggest victory of his career. Tickets go on sale June 12 via Ticketmaster, with pre-sales starting earlier this week.

If successful, Taylor will retire as a three-time undisputed champion.

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Last update: 2026/06/05 at 11:27

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