Smith vs. Puello: Everything You Need to Know
Dalton Smith will defend his WBC light‑welterweight world title for the first time on Saturday, 24 October, at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena. The 29‑year‑old, who has never been beaten, is returning to his hometown nine months after capturing the belt by stopping Subriel Matias in New York. The bout was originally set for June at the same venue, but a training‑room injury forced a postponement.
Alberto Puello, the 32‑year‑old Dominican, is the mandatory challenger. He is a former WBA and WBC champion whose sole defeat came at the hands of Matias. The fight will test whether Smith can close his breakthrough year with another decisive win, or if Puello can reclaim the title he lost in 2025.
How to follow the action
Live text commentary begins at 20:30 BST on Saturday on the BBC Sport website and app. Radio coverage starts at 21:00 on BBC Radio 5 Live. Stacey Copeland will host the broadcast, joined by lead commentator Ronald McIntosh, with Steve Bunce and former super‑middleweight world champion Richie Woodhall providing co‑commentary.
Ringwalks are expected around 22:00 BST, though the exact time will depend on the length of the undercard. The main broadcast is slated for about 19:00, with doors opening at the Utilita Arena at 16:00.
Undercard and running order
- Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puello – WBC light‑welterweight title
- Giorgio Visioli vs. Maxi Hughes – vacant WBC International Silver lightweight title
- Shannon Ryan vs. Emma Dolan – British, Commonwealth and IBF Inter‑Continental super‑flyweight titles
- Edward Hardy vs. Diego Alberto Ruiz – super‑featherweight
- Aqib Fiaz vs. Jordan Flynn – super‑featherweight
- Joe Hayden vs. Will Harrison – welterweight
- Leo Atang vs. Jonathan Vergara – heavyweight
- Chris Mulunda vs. Harley Collison – middleweight
- Divine Omojor vs. Goran Kozul – cruiserweight
Fight‑week schedule
Wednesday – open workout
Thursday – news conference at 14:30 BST
Friday – weigh‑in at 18:00 BST
Smith’s road to the world title
Before stepping onto the global stage, Smith collected English, British, Commonwealth and European honours. In January he travelled to Brooklyn to face Subriel Matias, a feared puncher who had stopped 22 of his 23 opponents. In a dramatic fifth round, Smith landed a powerful right hand that sent Matias to the canvas, prompting the referee to stop the contest. It was Matias’s first professional stoppage loss, and the victory lifted Smith’s record to 19‑0, with 14 wins inside the distance.
Puello’s credentials
Puello enters the ring with a 25‑1 record and 11 knockouts. He captured the WBA belt by defeating Batyr Akhmedov in 2022 and later beat the highly rated Gary Antuanne Russell to claim the WBC interim title. He was subsequently elevated to full champion and added a win over Sandor Martin before losing his belt to Matias by majority decision in July 2025. Unlike Matias, Puello fights as a slick southpaw, relying on movement, speed and counter‑punching rather than constant pressure.
What the fight could mean for Smith
Smith has long been viewed as one of Britain’s top prospects, and his triumph over Matias thrust him onto the world stage. A successful defence against Puello would cement his status among the division’s elite and could open doors to bigger bouts with fighters such as Shakur Stevenson (WBO champion) or a rematch with Gary Antuanne Russell (WBA champion). The IBF light‑welterweight title remains vacant, adding further intrigue.
A domestic rivalry is also brewing with unbeaten Londoner Adam Azim, who is 15‑0 and tipped as a future world champion. While Azim has yet to match Smith’s achievements, a potential all‑British world‑title clash could become a marquee event.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has hinted that a future headline at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough Stadium could be on the cards if Smith’s profile continues to rise. Smith himself has expressed a desire to build a travelling fan base similar to that enjoyed by Ricky Hatton at his peak. Defeating a former champion of Puello’s caliber on home soil will be a key test of his ability to become one of British boxing’s headline names.