'It's frightening': Dalton Smith hurting sparring partners says gym mate Mulunda
Sheffield’s Dalton Smith is just a few weeks away from his return to the ring
Dalton Smith is in "devastating" form during a training camp that has been a painful process for several of his sparring partners.
So says promising rookie Chris Mulunda, who has witnessed some of the meaty blows inflicted on the WBC champion's training partners.
Mulunda, who has earned a place on Smith's undercard at Sheffield Arena on October 24, sparred with his Steel City gym mate himself at the start of the camp.
He has witnessed more experienced boxers come in - many of whom were on the end of some pretty severe punishment.
Sheffield world champion-of-the-past Kell Brook had a reputation of handing out hidings in sparring.
And it sounds as if next-generation Smith is doing the same.
"Dalton is looking very good, very sharp...devastating, really," said Mulunda, who takes on Harley Collison, from Southampton, at the Arena before Smith defends his super lightweight belt against Alberto Puello.
"Dalton has got stronger and stronger and is really putting his punches together.
"I have seen a few of his sparring partners get hurt - and they are good people, no mugs.
"He's been hurting them in 16oz gloves, so imagine what damage he will do with eight ounce gloves. I wouldn't want to be Puello- it's frightening, man!"
Mulunda, 23, who is unbeaten after four fights and is managed by Sunny Edwards, believes Smith will stop the Dominican former world champion.
"Dalton has a lot of power, the 'hype' about him is real. Subriel Matias certainly felt that power (Smith TKO'd him in five rounds in New York to win the belt in January)
"It was the hardest Matias had ever been hit.
"I see a stoppage happening again, for sure. If Dalton lands cleanly I cannot see Puello taking it."
Mulunda, from Rotherham, said he had learned a lot from Smith over the past 10 weeks.
"We have spent a lot of time in sessions together, running the hills and working hard.
"Watching his work rate helps me - but we are probably getting sick of each other by now!
"I'll be using everything I have learned on October 24 and show people what I am all about. It will be my first six rounder and I'd love to get him (Collison) out of there."