Dalton Smith defends title against Alberto Puello June 6th in Sheffield

WBC super lightweight champion Dalton Smith (19-0, 14 KOs) will make his first defense of the title in his hometown of Sheffield on June 6th as he will face Alberto Puello (24-1, 10 KOs) at Utilita Arena.

Smith was the mandatory challenger to the WBC title when he faced Subriel Matias in January. He defeated Matias by knockout in his first fight in the US. Just months after scoring that victory, he will be facing Puello who is currently the mandatory challenger for the WBC title.

“It’s straight into a mandatory defense so you expect world class opponents,” Smith said. “There’s no denying Puello’s 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’ll be a big performance from me in my homecoming.”

It will be the fifth time that Smith will be fighting in his hometown, but he is eager to defend the WBC title after scoring the knockout over Matias.

“I went to New York as the away fighter, with all the outside-the-ring stuff going on, and went toe-to-toe with the supposed bogeyman who had just beaten Puello.  It was a trip of a lifetime, but now it’s about bringing big World Title fights to Sheffield and it’s great to start my reign as champion back at the Utilita Arena.”

Last year, Puello scored a split decision win over Sandor Martin in Brooklyn but lost the WBC title to Matias in Queens. The Dominican wants to become a champion for a third time as he held the WBA title in 2022, and he has wins over Batyr Akhmedov and current WBA champion Gary Antuanne Russell.