Reporters’ star ratings for main events and undercards are based on in-ring entertainment, competitiveness and whether overall expectation was met
ACRUNCHING right to the stomach, copiously laced with spite and violence, reaped dividends aplenty for local super-lightweight Dalton Smith at the Sheffield Arena.
The body shot, which came straight after a dizzying right to the head, was the first punch he’d thrown downstairs in any real anger. It immediately put paid to the hopes of California southpaw Jose Zepeda, a potential stumbling block according to plenty of educated opinions beforehand.
The American’s face contorted as he leant forward before dropping, almost in slow motion. Initially, Zepeda was on one knee but, seemingly to avoid a subsequent swipe from Smith that was aimed at his head, he was on all fours in clear discomfort from the blast to his stomach. By now, Smith was in a neutral corner, a position
