A clash between WBC junior welterweight champion Dalton Smith (19-0, 14 KOs) and Adam Azim (15-0, 12 KOs) would be the ideal fight to kickstart a new era.

The 140-pound clash has been brewing for years and has already become much more than a domestic clash. Smith is currently ranked No.1 by The Ring, while Azim sits at No. 5.

It is extremely unlikely that Smith will give Azim a voluntary crack at his title.

The talented 24-year-old contender from Slough will either have to secure a title of his own or work his way into a mandatory position with the WBC before a fight happens. Azim is currently positioned at No. 3.

It would be a travesty if a fight between Smith and Azim went the way of fights like Fury and Joshua and the long-delayed grudge match between Kell Brook and Amir Khan and passed its sell-by date. Smith doesn’t see that happening.

The 29-year-old champion from Sheffield is currently preparing for his October 24 title defense against Albert Puello, but he is sure that the fight with Azim will be made eventually.

“As long as we both win and keep winning, of course, and, like I said, he's got to go and prove himself,” Smith told The Ring. “I’ve got bigger, I’ve got harder fights in front of me, and that’s Alberto Puello. For me, he’s a better fighter than Adam Azim, but he’s doing his thing and if it makes sense at the right time, then of course it’ll be a fight that happens.”

The 12-round bout between Smith and the Dominican Republic’s Puello (25-1, 11 KOs) will headline a card DAZN will stream worldwide from Utilita Arena in Sheffield.