Dalton Smith hears encouragement from boxing royalty
Dalton Smith had travelled to New York for boxing’s annual awards night, expecting little more than handshakes and photographs.
Instead, a few quiet words from Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez turned the encounter into something far more significant.
At the Ring Magazine Awards, Sheffield's new kid on boxing’s world stage met one of the sport’s greatest modern legends.
As they shook hands, Alvarez smiled and told him in broken English: “It is only the beginning.”
For new WBC super lightweight champion Smith, 28, those five words will have carried far more meaning than small-talk at a black-tie event.
Coming from a fighter whose career has spanned eras, weight divisions and continents, it sounded like an endorsement of what lies ahead.
The brief exchange was captured on video and shared by Matchroom Boxing, who posted: “Canelo knows the Sheffield steel when he sees it."
The clip quickly drew attention across social media, with half a million people viewing it on Facebook in a couple of days.
Alvarez, 35, was impossible to miss, draped in a dramatic white fur coat that matched his superstar status.
Smith was clearly delighted to meet him, listening intently, smiling, and showing modesty and respect.
It was the mark of a young champion meeting someone whose achievements define modern greatness.
The Mexican's career scarcely needs retelling to sports fans, but its scale gives context to the moment. Turning professional at just 15, he won his first world title at 20 and went on to claim championships across four weight divisions.
He became the undisputed super-middleweight champion and spent more than a decade fighting the best available opponents, combining durability, intelligence and elite skill to build a global following few boxers ever achieve.
Sheffield fight fans know his quality all too well.
Fifteen years ago, Alvarez broke British hearts when he stopped Ryan Rhodes in Guadalajara, ending the local favourite’s world title hopes in the 12th round. He was just 20, while Rhodes was 34.
At that time, the defeat hurt the proud Ecclesfield man, who is now a successful gym owner, manager and promoter.
But it also served as an early marker of Alvarez’s greatness.
Even then, he was a fighter destined for the very top of the sport.
The setting for the brief Smith-Alvarez meeting added to the sense of occasion. The Ring Awards were held at Cipriani 25 Broadway, a landmark Manhattan venue long associated with high-end ceremonies and major sporting gatherings.
Boxing’s elite filled the room. Terence Crawford was named Male Fighter of the Year, Mizuki Hiruta claimed Female Fighter of the Year, and Chris Eubank Jr v Conor Benn was recognised as Fight of the Year.
A great night for Dalton; but nothing will ever surpass his main objective - a title defence at Sheffield Wednesday's stadium.