GRADES: DALTON SMITH, JOSE ZEPEDA, SANDY RYAN & MORE

By: Jay Calderon

Boxing wasn't too busy, but we were treated to a decent card in Sheffield, England, headlined by Jr. Welterweight action.

In the main event, Dalton Smith took a big step up when stopping the usually-durable Jose Zepeda in a handful of rounds. In the co-fratured bout of the evening, SANDY RYAN successfully defended her Welterweight crown with a stoppage of former world titlist Terri Harper.

So, let's hand these grades out:
 

DALTON SMITH
RESULT: DEF. JOSE ZEPEDA, 5KO (JR. WELTERWEIGHT)
GRADE: A+
My biggest concern for Dalton Smith heading into his bout with Jose Zepeda was his tendency of rushing some of his work. However, to Smith's credit, his patience against the Mexican-American was perhaps his greatest asset on the night.

After a round dot two where Zepeda seemed to have some really good timing to go with his very tricky left hand, Smith found his own timing and was countering over the top. Instead of rushing in as Smith has done against lesser foes, he was poised and waiting for his moments.

This isn't to say that Zepeda is the same guy he was a few years back. In fact, I'm flatly staying that he isn't really close to that guy in 2024. However, at the age of 27 and just entering his physical prime, Smith isn't the finished article either.

Still, with tougher tests ahead in his career, Smith passed this particular one with flying colors. All you can do is best the fighters put in front of you and impress in the process. Smith accomplished both of those goals in against Zepeda.

Now, at 16-0 and on the verge or world level, Smith has the chance to make some real noise at 140 pounds.

JOSE ZEPEDA
RESULT: LOSS TO DALTON SMITH, 5KO (JR. WELTERWEIGHT)
GRADE: D-
Stylistically, Jose Zepeda was always one of those tweener fighters, a boxer caught in the middle of two different styles. On the one hand, he could box and counter we'll off the back foot. On the other side of that coin, he could throw some real hands when needed.

For many fighters, that versatility is a positive, and can be used to bring you to the highest level. However, that simply never converted the same way for Zepeda. Like his style, Jose's career was also sort of caught in the middle as well: Zepeda was caught between being a world class operator and some just below that.

Zepeda would have his moments, earn some awards and some title shots along the way. In fact, he had a moment or two early against Dalton Smith. However, Jose just couldn't make it count in moments when he needed it most. Unfortunately for Zepeda, that last statement is both true of his career as a whole and the Smith contest in particular.

Prior to the contest, Zepeda admitted he would consider retirement if he was unable to defeat Smith. That seems like a good idea for the 34-year-old, who doesn't seem in any position to improve his recent run of peeformances at this point.

SANDY RYAN
RESULT: DEF. TERRI HARPER, 4TKO (WELTERWEIGHT)
GRADE: A-
In some respects, Terri Harper should have been the toughest of for Sandy Ryan in her pro career. As it turned out, Harper was Ryan's coming out party.

Granted, Ryan had already picked up gold at 147 pounds back in April of last year with a win over Marie Pier Houle, and even performed well enough to win against Jessica McCaskill in a draw back September. However, this was the sort of performance that makes people take notice.

Ryan seemed a step ahead the entire fight. Anything Harper seemed to put on offer, Ryan had an answer. Her shots were faster more accurate and Ryan also managed to out some spite into her work. Which is nice to see, considering Sandy isn't known as a massive puncher.

By her own admission, Ryan rushed a bit of her work in the third and fourth rounds looking for the finish. However, the fact that SANDY (and her team, to their credit) acknowledged as much and mostly stuck to the game plan is a positive sign.

Women's boxing at 147 pounds is heating up and Ryan is making her case as the class of the division.

TERRI HARPER
RESULT: LOSS TO SANDY RYAN, 4TKO (WELTERWEIGHT)
GRADE: C-
It just didn't feel like Terri Harper's night.

That isn't to say she beats Sandy Ryan in a return if the pair were to meet again. They could fight several times over and, provided Ryan avoids major mistakes, Harper might fall short every time. However, I think she might put up more of a fight in a different situation.

Hiwever, Harper just couldn't get going. Terri was the perceived bigger puncher heading into the contest, yet couldn't keep Ryan honest. Harper seemed to have a hard time getting some breathing room in there, getting overwhelmed by the work rate of her counterpart.

It wasn't as though Harper wasn't landing or looked like she didn't belong at the top level. On the night, Ryan just seemed a level beyond that.

Harper has been in with some top, top names as of late and has had mixed results at times. Still, she's only 27-years-old, and should have at least one more run left in her. However, maybe taking a step away for a bit then coming back and rebuilding a bit slower is a solid option.

LINKS:

- SCHEDULE & ODDS

- RESULTS

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