Dalton Smith, 17-0 (13 KOs), has endured a frustrating ten month period away from the ring but the talented junior welterweight contender made an eye catching return to action with a quick first round stoppage victory over Frenchman, Walid Ouizza, 19-3 (8 KOs), at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena.

The fight was screened live worldwide by DAZN and the win earned Smith the vacant European junior welterweight title.

Last March, Smith was sensational when recording a fifth round body shot stoppage of the dangerous American Jose Zepeda but a neck-shoulder injury curtailed his momentum.

Ouizza had picked up minor titles in each of his three previous fights but had never met anyone of Smith’s quality and he was quickly reminded of the difference in levels.

Smith snatched his opportunity to set the tone early. The 27 year-old couldn’t miss his upright opponent, scoring with a right hand in the opening seconds and quickly gaining enough confidence to begin leading with a wide left hook.

Every punch stiffened Ouizza who was hurt and dropped by a hard, accurate two handed combination at the end of the very first round. He clambered to his feet but, unfortunately for him, there was still time for Smith to make his way across the ring and calmly finish him off with one of those looping left hooks.

The official time was 3.00 of the first.

Smith holds the WBC silver title at 140lbs and will have a close eye on the outcome of the upcoming WBC world title fight between Alberto Puello, 23-0 (10 KOs)and Sandor Martin, 42-3 (15 KOs), who fight at Brooklyn’s Barclays Centre on March 1st.