Dalton Smith defends WBC crown against Puello in Sheffield homecoming
Dalton Smith will make the first defence of his WBC light-welterweight world title against Alberto Puello in Sheffield on Saturday, 24 October. BBC Sport
The unbeaten 29-year-old from Sheffield brings a record of 19 wins from 19 fights, with 14 inside the distance — that is, by knockout or stoppage. He won the belt in January as the challenger against Subriel Matias in Brooklyn, New York. Smith dropped Matias with a right hand in the fifth round before the referee stepped in. It was the first time Matias had ever been stopped as a professional.
This is a fight four months in the making. Smith and Puello were originally due to meet at the Utilita Arena in June, but the date was postponed after Smith picked up an injury in training.
Puello knows this belt well. The 32-year-old Dominican is a former WBA and WBC champion with 25 wins from 26 fights, 11 by knockout. His only defeat came against Matias, who took the WBC title from him by majority decision — where two judges score for one fighter and the third scores level — in July 2025.
Their careers are tightly linked. Puello won the WBA belt by beating Batyr Akhmedov in 2022. He later beat Gary Antuanne Russell to claim the WBC interim title, was elevated to full champion, and then beat Sandor Martin before losing to Matias. Smith then beat Matias to start his own reign. Puello now arrives as the mandatory challenger, the contender the WBC orders its champion to face.
Puello is a southpaw, fighting with his right foot forward and his strong left hand at the back. He relies on movement, speed and counter-punching. Smith worked through every level at home first, collecting English, British, Commonwealth and European honours before stepping up to world level.
For fans, this means a sharp clash of styles. Smith carries proven power. Puello brings experience and angles from the left-handed stance. Neither man needs an introduction to Matias, but only one will leave Sheffield with the green and gold belt.
Smith and Puello are expected to make their ringwalks at about 22:00 BST. Doors at the Utilita Arena open at 16:00, with the main broadcast scheduled to begin at about 19:00. BBC Sport’s website and app will carry live text commentary from 21:00 BST on Saturday, 24 October, with BBC Radio 5 Live joining for radio commentary at 22:00. Coverage will be presented by Stacey Copeland, with lead commentator Ronald McIntosh and co-commentary from Steve Bunce and Richie Woodhall.
The undercard has title fights of its own. Giorgio Visioli faces Maxi Hughes for the vacant WBC International Silver lightweight title. Shannon Ryan meets Emma Dolan for the British, Commonwealth and IBF Inter-Continental super-flyweight titles — the 115lb division. The rest of the card includes Edward Hardy against Ibrahim Nadim and Aqib Fiaz against Jordan Flynn, both at super-featherweight, Joe Hayden against Will Harrison at welterweight, and Chris Mulunda against Harley Collison at middleweight. BBC Sport
Fight week stays in Sheffield. There is an open workout on Wednesday, a news conference on Thursday and the weigh-in on Friday, when both men must hit the 140lb light-welterweight limit.
