SMITH-PUELLO, WHITTAKER-WALLACE SET FOR MATCHROOM FALL SCHEDULE
Dalton Smith's rescheduled WBC junior welterweight title defense against Alberto Puello is set for Oct. 24, Matchroom announced on Monday.
That world title fight headliner marks one of four shows across the coming months, forming part of the promotional company's updated UK schedule through the earlier autumn.
Smith-Puello was originally slated for June 6 in Sheffield, before news broke of the new champion sustaining an undisclosed injury in training. The card went ahead with European junior lightweight champion Josh Padley outpointing Aqib Fiaz to retain his 130-pound title.
Now four months later than first planned, Smith will honor his mandatory challenger. Puello (25-1, 11 KOs) scored a fourth-round finish of short-notice opponent Miguel Bolano at the weekend and now, has a new date to focus on.
"It was obviously frustrating to pick up the injury when I was in such a good place, especially after all the hard work that had gone into camp, but injuries are part of boxing," Smith said in a press release.
"The important thing is that I've taken the time to recover properly, listened to the medical advice and now I'm back training, feeling strong and ready to go again.
"I want to build a legacy and that starts with defending the title against the division's best challengers. October 24 can't come soon enough, I'll be ready to put on a statement performance in Sheffield."
Rising light heavyweight contender Ben Whittaker will hope to emulate Smith's world-level success as he faces an October 3 main event at Birmingham's Utilita Arena, aware that a win over Conor Wallace will present him with the next IBF world title shot.
Activity has been key for the Olympic silver medalist since signing with Matchroom last October and in his fourth appearance under their watch, Australia's Wallace (17-1, 12 KOs) will look to derail that increasing buzz.
Last month after his second-round blowout of longtime contender Richard Rivera, speculation over a potential step-up intensified as Whittaker and Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn fielded questions from American media.
Joshua Buatsi, Anthony Yarde and Willy Hutchinson were all mentioned as potential foes, though it's clear the 29-year-old is being kept busy while navigating an uncertain light heavyweight landscape with unified champion Dmitry Bivol (25-1, 12 KOs) expected to relinquish more titles in pursuit of legacy-enhancing bouts going forward.
Wallace ended a 10-month layoff with a sixth-round knockout win of Walter Gabriel Sequeira on April 23, after which his promoter Mick Francis insisted the 30-year-old southpaw needed an opportunity to prove his mettle against the world's best after engaging at close-range against unheralded opposition.
"We thought we had a world title fight a couple months ago. He [Wallace] can box and bang, he chooses to do that [brawl], I don't know why, but he can box. It's exciting times, we'd like the Ben Whittaker fight ... he's gonna have to box against these animals, they can all bang," he said post-fight and three months later, they've got their wish.
Whittaker spoke of his delight to be returning to home comforts, where he's vowing another highlight reel night.
"This is a proper step up on my way to becoming world champion and I'm excited to put on a special performance for you all again," he said in the same press release.
Before then, British middleweight champion George Liddard (14-0, 8 KOs) will return to action on August 22 at London's York Hall. He'll face Italy's Dario Morello (26-1, 4 KOs) for the vacant European title last held by Bilel Jkitou, who is said to be pursuing bigger opportunities elsewhere in the weight class.
Liddard's friend and fellow Tony Sims-trained contender Jimmy Sains (12-0, 10 KOs) faces Tom Cowling (15-1, 4 KOs) for the Commonwealth crown Liddard defended on March 21 in a 12-round tussle with Tyler Denny.
Meanwhile on the same bill, Emmanuel Buttigieg will box P A Gordon (9-0, 1 KO) in a tussle of unbeaten hopefuls for English 160-pound honors Sains has relinquished and The Ring's No. 3 featherweight Tiah Ayton (6-0, 5 KOs) makes her third appearance of the year in the teenager's first 10-round clash against Ellie Hellewell (7-1-1, 1 KO).
Elsewhere on September 19 at Manchester's Co-op Live, 2024 Olympian Pat Brown (6-0, 6 KOs) gets his much-anticipated shot at domestic titles when facing John Hedges (12-0, 3 KOs) for the vacant British and Commonwealth cruiserweight crowns.
Brown, a finalist for The Ring's Prospect of the Year awards in 2025, has enjoyed an excellent debut year on the professional circuit and faces English beltholder Hedges in a maiden 12-round contest for both men.
