Parker-Wardley: Mitchell Smith vs. Arnie Dawson Joins Oct. 25 Undercard

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Oct 14, 2025

Link copied!

Oct 14, 2025

Declan Taylor

Oct 14, 2025

1 min read

Ask and you shall receive. Mitchell Smith has been afforded a chance to reignite his career when he'll face unbeaten Essex lightweight Arnie Dawson on the Joseph Parker-Fabio Wardley undercard come October 25, having told The Ring last month of his des...

Mitchell Smith has been handed the chance to reignite his career with a slot on the October 25 card headlined by Joseph Parker against Fabio Wardley.

The 32-year-old has not boxed in a 10-round fight since his famous loss to underdog George Jupp nearly 10 years ago in Manchester.

He has since been to prison three times, battled drink and drugs problems while, at one point the former junior lightweight contender ballooned up in weight to over 240 pounds - nearly twice his fighting weight.

But now Smith (18-1, 9 KOs) is set to face promising Essex lightweight Arnie Dawson (8-0, 4 KOs), who is 10 years his junior, at London’s o2 Arena on October 25 in the All or Nothing show set to be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN.

“This is the biggest opportunity of my life,” Smith said. “So proud of myself for staying close to the weight and in half-decent shape while waiting for any opportunity to land.

“Thank you to my brother/coach Arron Woodcock and I want to thank Queensberry Promotions and DAZN for having me on.”

Smith has battled hard to get himself back into the picture alongside his day job in the scrap metal trade. He has boxed just twice in the past three years in a pair of low-key outings over four and then six rounds.

During an interview with The Ring last month, Smith admitted that he is now drinking in the last chance saloon as he awaits one final shot at a meaningful fight. Now Frank Warren and Queensberry, who promoted him back in his heyday, have provided him with that.

Dawson meanwhile, has not put a foot wrong over the course of his professional career, which kicked off in November 2023.

He has racked up eight wins since then and completed the 10-round distance for the first time in his last outing, beating Marley Mason at York Hall, Bethnal Green in September.

'The Terminator' had been due to box back at York Hall on November 15 but that fight has now been cancelled in favour of this opportunity against Smith at the o2 three weeks earlier, contesting the vacant WBO European lightweight title last held by Cameron Vuong.