Dalton Smith says Adam Azim gets his publicity by 'throwing delusional comments'

The WBC super-lightweight champion told The Ring the fight has never been blocked by his side, and that he is 'thinking of much bigger things at the minute'.

Dalton Smith has dismissed Adam Azim's claim to be the bigger name as "delusion", telling The Ring that his domestic rival gets his publicity from talking whenever Smith fights.

Azim's comments, put to Smith in the interview, were that he is the bigger name and that people know him when he walks down the street but do not know Smith. Smith said: "It's delusion." He went on: "I'm getting my recognition, I'm getting my publicity from fighting. Adam seems to get his by throwing delusional comments every time I fight." He added: "I don't know who's advising him to say stuff like that, but ... it's clearly not true."

The WBC super-lightweight champion, who kept his title on a split decision over Alberto Puello in Sheffield, called a fight with Azim one that is "brewing" and "in high demand", but said: "I'm thinking of much bigger things at the minute." The pair have been linked for about five years, and Smith said the delay does not lie with his side: "Whenever the fight's been there to be made, we've been pushing for that. It's never been on our behalf." He finished: "I'm on to bigger and better things. Adam needs to do his part."

Azim (15-0, 12 KO) faces Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela in an IBF eliminator at the Copper Box Arena on 4 December. Smith told The Ring: "For me, the number one goal is Hillsborough." He said that would need "a big name there, a unification", and that he presumes his next defence is a voluntary.

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