Dalton Smith v Alberto Puello 6/6/26

Boxing Boxing Talk
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Britain’s WBC light-welterweight champion Dalton Smith will make the first defence of his title in front of his home fans in Sheffield on 6 June.

The unbeaten Smith, 29, will face two-time former world champion Alberto Puello from Dominican at Utilita Arena.

Smith won the world title in his 19th professional fight with a stunning fifth-round stoppage victory over Subriel Matias in Brooklyn in January.

“New York was a trip of a lifetime, but now it’s about bringing big world title fights to Sheffield,” said Smith.

"It’s straight into a mandatory defence, so you expect world-class opponents. There’s no denying Puello is a top boxer - he’s a two-time champion for a reason.

“Puello’s an awkward southpaw, but it’s well known I love that style. It will be a big performance from me in my homecoming.”

Puello, 31, held the WBA title from 2022 to 2023 and the WBC title from 2024 to 2025.

He has won 24 professional fights, with his only defeat coming when he lost his belt to Matias in July.

Dalton Smith v Alberto Puello: Briton to defend world title in Sheffield homecoming - BBC Sport

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alberto taking that belt

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This is a fantastic fight and Smith taking on the best boxers at his weight. Hoping he can win this in front of his fans. He’s in great form.

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on the undercard

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Britain’s WBC light-welterweight champion Dalton Smith has been ruled out of his fight with Alberto Puello through injury.

Smith was scheduled to make his first title defence against the former two-time world champion in his hometown of Sheffield on 6 June.

However, the unbeaten 29-year-old, who beat Subriel Matias to become world champion in January, has picked up a problem during training camp.

Dalton Smith injury: Galal Yafai to top Sheffield bill after Smith title defence cancelled - BBC Sport

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can’t run from alberto forever

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officially rescheduled

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Glad they have rescheduled this tough mandatory defence for Smith. The home advantage could make all the difference.

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dalton’s just been keeping belt warm for alberto

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Dalton Smith described the prospect of defending his WBC light-welterweight title at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough stadium next year as the “cherry on the cake”.

Smith must first get past two-time former world champion Alberto Puello at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena on 24 October.

The unbeaten 29-year-old returns home for the first defence of the title he sensationally won in January, stopping Subriel Matias in New York.

“You don’t overlook anything. One fight at a time,” Smith said at a news conference in his home town.

“Once that hand is raised on 24 October we’ll see what’s next. But everybody knows Hillsborough is the cherry on the top for me.”

The bout was originally scheduled for June but had to be postponed when Smith suffered an injury in training.

Smith has won all 19 of his professional fights, 14 inside the distance, and says the chance to make his first defence in front of his home crowd has added an extra edge.

He refused to get carried away with the prospect of walking out at Hillsborough, but Matchroom chief executive Frank Smith believes the dream could soon become reality.

“He’s not looking past this. It’s a proper fight,” he said. “But after this unification fights are there and the big night in Hillsborough is there.”

Puello, 32, held the WBA title from 2022 to 2023 before becoming WBC champion in 2024. He lost that belt to Matias in July 2025, the only defeat on his 26-fight professional record.

“He wants to do to me what I did to Matias but believe me, that’s not going to happen,” Smith said. “Me fighting in my home town with the support behind me as a world champion, it gives me that extra fire.”

Speaking through a translator, the confident Dominican made it clear he intends to spoil Smith’s homecoming.

“I don’t see many weaknesses in him but it will be hugely satisfying to come here to his hometown to rip his belt,” he said.

“It will be really satisfying for me and a humiliation for him.”

An otherwise low-key media-only event ended with the two fighters shaking hands.

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Smith is very level headed and considers Puello a harder fight than Adam Azim will be. He knows he has to beat this mandatory to set up big fights against Azim and Shakur.

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Dalton Smith v Alberto Puello - WBC light-welterweight title

Giorgio Visioli v Maxi Hughes - vacant WBC International Silver lightweight title

Shannon Ryan v Emma Dolan - British, Commonwealth and IBF Inter-Continental super-flyweight titles

Edward Hardy v Ibrahim Nadim - super-featherweight

Aqib Fiaz v Jordan Flynn - super-featherweight

Joe Hayden v Will Harrison - welterweight

Leo Atang v TBA - heavyweight

Connor Mitchell v TBA - super-featherweight

Chris Mulunda v Harley Collison - middleweight

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i was originally thinking alberto wins this when it was signed, now i’m not so sure. hoping for a good competitive fight

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You were confident Dalton would lose. I hope Smith wins and sets up a super fight against Azim.

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i was, now i think he has a good chance to win

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for the record i’ve still got alberto winning

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This is a real world class quality contest between boxers in their primes. Alberto should be undefeated and champion that Dalton should have faced in the first place.

Smith has not avoided anyone and went to New York to rip the title away from the old champion.

Credit to both. This will be a great contest. Both are at the same high quality and world class level. The winning factor will be small margins and I am intrigued what that will be.

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Edward Hardy undefeated taking on journey man Alberto Ruiz and beating him on points.

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Atang wins by another first round ko.

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