Dalton Smith defends WBC 140-pound title vs. Alberto Puello on June 6
Dalton Smith's world championship homecoming is set.
Five months after an unforgettable night in New York, the newly-minted junior welterweight champion will make his first title defense against mandatory challenger and former titlist Alberto Puello at Sheffield's Utilita Arena.
Smith (19-0, 14 KOs) returns to familiar surroundings, having scored a fifth-round stoppage of longtime contender Jose Zepeda in March 2024, this time with newfound leverage in a division where his possibilities seem endless.
"New York 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," Smith said in a press release. "It's straight into a mandatory defence so you expect world class opponents, no denying Puello's a top boxer, two-time champion for a reason.
"But 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 - but that's what we're about in Sheffield: full of heart and nuts of steel."
Puello (24-1, 10 KOs) was promised the next title shot after narrowly losing a 12-round majority decision against Subriel Matias as part of The Ring III card in July, a fight many felt he did enough to retain his title in.
He watched their five-round firefight and told The Ring's Anson Wainwright that Matias was easy to hit while praising Smith's strategy, keeping it out of the judges' hands. He shared the belief their July duel weakened Matias, making him less intense against the Brit and now the 31-year-old southpaw can spoil his homecoming party.
"I'm excited to be fighting for my title again on June 6, looking forward to becoming a three-time world champion and making history in the United Kingdom in-front of its wonderful fan base. Smith is a good boxer, I'm excited to share the ring with him and give the fnas a great fight," Puello said in the aforementioned release.
Smith's fights over the last three years have been a mixture of explosive punch placement and arduous, slow-burning encounters.
Fans will more fondly remember his wins over Zepeda, Walid Ouizza and Matias, rather than 12-round battles with Billy Allington and last year's stay-busy assignment against Mathieu Germain.
"Puello's an awkward southpaw, but it's well known I love that style and it'll be a big performance from me in my homecoming. I've had many special nights already at the Utilita Arena, the atmosphere will be rocking and I can't wait to see everyone there."
His promoter, Matchroom chief Eddie Hearn, echoed the sentiment.
"This is another mega fight coming to British shores, another one for fight fans to enjoy on the global home of boxing, DAZN. Dalton's win in Brooklyn will live long in the memory, an incredible night, now he has the chance to cement his legacy and forge his name into folklore. Puello, a formidable former two-time world champion in his own right, will be in for one tough night with an electric atmosphere awaiting him in Sheffield."
Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puello | DAZN - 24 October 2026
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Re: Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puello | DAZN - 6 June 2026
Outside chance of an upset
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Re: Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puello | DAZN - 6 June 2026
Dalton Smith, in his first defense, is happy to do it the hard way
Dalton Smith has already demonstrated his willingness to walk off the beaten path to get what he wants. By agreeing to a clash with Alberto Puello for his first title defense – set for June 6 at Smith’s hometown Utilita Arena Sheffield in England – he showed he isn’t about to take a backwards step now.
That would surprise no one who witnessed his January stoppage of Subriel Matias, in which Smith balled up and tossed away his initial fight plan to trade blows with the division’s most-feared puncher and then sparked Matias in the fifth round at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, to capture the belt in rousing fashion.
“Yeah, you know, life's gotten a little bit busier,” Smith, 19-0 (14 KOs), told “Boxing Scene Today” in a Wednesday interview. “There's a lot more eyes, but it's part of the parcel.”
Both the punch and the performance against Matias left quite the impression. In the aftermath, Matchroom Boxing head Eddie Hearn, Smith’s promoter, called it “the greatest away win I’ve ever felt or witnessed, whatever you call it. Dalton Smith is a fornicating hero.”
But Puello, a 24-1 (10 KOs) southpaw from the Dominican Republic and now training out of Las Vegas, represents a very different kind of challenge. If Matias was dynamite, the 31-year-old Puello is a straight razor.
“I think he's a great fighter,” Smith said of Puello. “He's two-time world champion, and everybody who's close and knows me, they know I love an awkward southpaw. I always used to do well against them in the amateurs, and I’ve fought six or seven as a professional. So it's a fight I'm excited for. … I believe I’ll be able to find weaknesses in his style that not many people have done up to now.”
Puello's first reign was as WBA titleholder and ended when he was stripped after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. (Puello said he had used the substance to help conceive with his wife.) With a 2024 win over Gary Antuanne Russell, Puello captured the interim WBC belt and was then elevated to a full titleholder when Devin Haney vacated. Puello defended it against Sandor Martin but lost the belt in a majority decision to Matias last July – Puello's first defeat.
“You know, we’re no strangers to Puello,” Smith said. “We was looking at him before, when him and Matias was fighting. So we've studied him quite a bit, and I think it's gonna be a great fight.”
As tricky as Puello is sure to be, it’s easy to imagine Smith, trafficking in a loaded division, doing blockbuster business very soon – especially given how well his home fans traveled in his win in New York.
“You can't overlook anyone,” Smith said. “I always take it one fight at a time. I've got a job to do with Puello first, and then the bigger fights come after that. So you look at the division – there’s Shakur [Stevenson] there, there’s [Richardson] Hitchins, and there's some big fights. Like you said, I'm ranked No. 1 now. So get the job done here, and then there's some big fights to be made. My job is to keep my feet on the ground, keep on winning, and I'll be a part of those.”
Adam Azim, 14-0 (11 KOs), is a countryman and another potential opponent who keeps getting floated around Smith, who admits he would love to next put on a fight at Hillsborough Stadium, home of Sheffield Wednesday F.C. A matchup there with Slough’s Azim would make one hell of a domestic matchup of unbeatens, should Smith get through Puello.
“One fight at a time,” he said. “I've got to keep on winning to make these dreams come into reality.
“We're lucky as fighters to have dance partners, and we've got to take advantage of them. But I've done it the hard way. I’ve come through the traditional route. I've never skipped anyone, and I've had to prove myself at world level. So I believe Albert’s got to do that. He's got to prove he’s world-level. Because you can't give no easy shots to anyone when you've done it the hard way.”
Dalton Smith has already demonstrated his willingness to walk off the beaten path to get what he wants. By agreeing to a clash with Alberto Puello for his first title defense – set for June 6 at Smith’s hometown Utilita Arena Sheffield in England – he showed he isn’t about to take a backwards step now.
That would surprise no one who witnessed his January stoppage of Subriel Matias, in which Smith balled up and tossed away his initial fight plan to trade blows with the division’s most-feared puncher and then sparked Matias in the fifth round at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, to capture the belt in rousing fashion.
“Yeah, you know, life's gotten a little bit busier,” Smith, 19-0 (14 KOs), told “Boxing Scene Today” in a Wednesday interview. “There's a lot more eyes, but it's part of the parcel.”
Both the punch and the performance against Matias left quite the impression. In the aftermath, Matchroom Boxing head Eddie Hearn, Smith’s promoter, called it “the greatest away win I’ve ever felt or witnessed, whatever you call it. Dalton Smith is a fornicating hero.”
But Puello, a 24-1 (10 KOs) southpaw from the Dominican Republic and now training out of Las Vegas, represents a very different kind of challenge. If Matias was dynamite, the 31-year-old Puello is a straight razor.
“I think he's a great fighter,” Smith said of Puello. “He's two-time world champion, and everybody who's close and knows me, they know I love an awkward southpaw. I always used to do well against them in the amateurs, and I’ve fought six or seven as a professional. So it's a fight I'm excited for. … I believe I’ll be able to find weaknesses in his style that not many people have done up to now.”
Puello's first reign was as WBA titleholder and ended when he was stripped after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. (Puello said he had used the substance to help conceive with his wife.) With a 2024 win over Gary Antuanne Russell, Puello captured the interim WBC belt and was then elevated to a full titleholder when Devin Haney vacated. Puello defended it against Sandor Martin but lost the belt in a majority decision to Matias last July – Puello's first defeat.
“You know, we’re no strangers to Puello,” Smith said. “We was looking at him before, when him and Matias was fighting. So we've studied him quite a bit, and I think it's gonna be a great fight.”
As tricky as Puello is sure to be, it’s easy to imagine Smith, trafficking in a loaded division, doing blockbuster business very soon – especially given how well his home fans traveled in his win in New York.
“You can't overlook anyone,” Smith said. “I always take it one fight at a time. I've got a job to do with Puello first, and then the bigger fights come after that. So you look at the division – there’s Shakur [Stevenson] there, there’s [Richardson] Hitchins, and there's some big fights. Like you said, I'm ranked No. 1 now. So get the job done here, and then there's some big fights to be made. My job is to keep my feet on the ground, keep on winning, and I'll be a part of those.”
Adam Azim, 14-0 (11 KOs), is a countryman and another potential opponent who keeps getting floated around Smith, who admits he would love to next put on a fight at Hillsborough Stadium, home of Sheffield Wednesday F.C. A matchup there with Slough’s Azim would make one hell of a domestic matchup of unbeatens, should Smith get through Puello.
“One fight at a time,” he said. “I've got to keep on winning to make these dreams come into reality.
“We're lucky as fighters to have dance partners, and we've got to take advantage of them. But I've done it the hard way. I’ve come through the traditional route. I've never skipped anyone, and I've had to prove myself at world level. So I believe Albert’s got to do that. He's got to prove he’s world-level. Because you can't give no easy shots to anyone when you've done it the hard way.”
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Re: Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puello | DAZN - 6 June 2026
Alberto Puello has special help in quest to recapture his title
Alberto Puello, after a Wednesday training session at Dauntless Boxing gym that counts WBA welterweight titleholder Rolly Romero, light heavyweight contender David Morrell Jnr and former welterweight belt holder Yordenis Ugas as stablemates, said he is enthused by the chance to fight Dalton Smith.
The June 6 matchup in Sheffield, England – initially reported by BS and officially confirmed Wednesday – offers Puello a chance to win back the belt lifted from him last July by Subriel Matias, whom Smith then defeated in a January stoppage to take control of the title.
“I feel very excited and grateful for the opportunity that the WBC and my promoter have given me,” said Puello, 24-1 (10 KOs).
As for how he would deal with Smith’s rugged, persistent style, Puello said, “by making adjustments and sticking to the way I fight. If I can do that, Dalton offers a few opportunities for me to capitalize upon.”
Surrounded by a wealth of talent at his gym – including veteran trainer Ismael Salas, of Cuba – Puello anticipates a strong showing in his effort to recapture the WBC belt.
“I feel great,” said Puello, a 31-year-old originally from San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic. “It’s been a few years working with Coach Salas, and being around these guys, I feel like I learn something new every day.”
The other 140lbs titlists are unbeaten four-division champion Shakur Stevenson, Richardson Hitchins (IBF) and a man Puello has already defeated, Gary Antuanne Russell (WBC).
Should he win, Puello said, “my goal is to unify the belts. So whoever has them, my goal is to unify.”
Alberto Puello, after a Wednesday training session at Dauntless Boxing gym that counts WBA welterweight titleholder Rolly Romero, light heavyweight contender David Morrell Jnr and former welterweight belt holder Yordenis Ugas as stablemates, said he is enthused by the chance to fight Dalton Smith.
The June 6 matchup in Sheffield, England – initially reported by BS and officially confirmed Wednesday – offers Puello a chance to win back the belt lifted from him last July by Subriel Matias, whom Smith then defeated in a January stoppage to take control of the title.
“I feel very excited and grateful for the opportunity that the WBC and my promoter have given me,” said Puello, 24-1 (10 KOs).
As for how he would deal with Smith’s rugged, persistent style, Puello said, “by making adjustments and sticking to the way I fight. If I can do that, Dalton offers a few opportunities for me to capitalize upon.”
Surrounded by a wealth of talent at his gym – including veteran trainer Ismael Salas, of Cuba – Puello anticipates a strong showing in his effort to recapture the WBC belt.
“I feel great,” said Puello, a 31-year-old originally from San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic. “It’s been a few years working with Coach Salas, and being around these guys, I feel like I learn something new every day.”
The other 140lbs titlists are unbeaten four-division champion Shakur Stevenson, Richardson Hitchins (IBF) and a man Puello has already defeated, Gary Antuanne Russell (WBC).
Should he win, Puello said, “my goal is to unify the belts. So whoever has them, my goal is to unify.”
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Re: Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puello | DAZN - 6 June 2026
Sandoval-Yafai flyweight title fight to land on June 6 Smith-Puello card
Matchroom Boxing secured a $625,000 purse bid last month to promote the fight between WBC and WBA flyweight champion Ricardo Sandoval and Galal Yafai, and now, Eddie Hearn has zeroed in on a date and location to stage the fight.
Sandoval is expected to defend his 112-pound titles against Yafai on June 6 in Sheffield, England, as the co-main event of WBC junior lightweight champion Dalton Smith’s title defense against Alberto Puello on DAZN.
Sandoval manager Abraham Perez, head of State of the Art Boxing, told The Ring that an announcement of their upcoming assignment is imminent.
“Ricardo Sandoval is headed back to the UK, this time to Sheffield on June 6 as a unified champion, and the mission is not just to defend, but to dominate and continue the climb in chasing greatness,” said Perez.
“Ricardo has built his name the hard way – as the underdog. But those days are over. Now, he steps into the ring as the champion, and he’s giving the interim champion Yafai his shot. We’ve been here before. We know what it takes to walk into another country and come out on top.”
Sandoval is rated No. 1 by The Ring at 112 pounds, Yafai No. 5.
Sandoval (27-2, 18 KOs) and company are as confident as ever going into the clash against Yafai. The 27-year-old from Los Angeles traveled to Japan in July and snatched the titles from Kenshiro Teraji with a hard-fought split-decision win.
Sandoval also has experience fighting on British soil. In 2021, he blasted Jay Harris inside eight rounds in Bolton.
It remains to be seen what version of Yafai (9-0, 7 KOs) shows up to slug it out with Sandoval. The 33-year-old southpaw from Birmingham hasn’t fought since suffering a brutal beating against Francisco Rodriguez Jr. in June.
Yafai, the WBC interim titleholder at the time, suffered a one-sided, unanimous decision loss to Rodriguez, absorbing 575 punches, 528 of which were power shots.
But the loss was clouded with controversy. Less than three weeks after their encounter, it was revealed that Rodriguez tested positive for a banned substance, and the result was later ruled a No Contest.
Prior to the Rodriguez fight, Yafai, a 2020 Olympic gold medalist for Great Britain, scored a career-best stoppage victory against Sunny Edwards in November 2024.
Matchroom Boxing secured a $625,000 purse bid last month to promote the fight between WBC and WBA flyweight champion Ricardo Sandoval and Galal Yafai, and now, Eddie Hearn has zeroed in on a date and location to stage the fight.
Sandoval is expected to defend his 112-pound titles against Yafai on June 6 in Sheffield, England, as the co-main event of WBC junior lightweight champion Dalton Smith’s title defense against Alberto Puello on DAZN.
Sandoval manager Abraham Perez, head of State of the Art Boxing, told The Ring that an announcement of their upcoming assignment is imminent.
“Ricardo Sandoval is headed back to the UK, this time to Sheffield on June 6 as a unified champion, and the mission is not just to defend, but to dominate and continue the climb in chasing greatness,” said Perez.
“Ricardo has built his name the hard way – as the underdog. But those days are over. Now, he steps into the ring as the champion, and he’s giving the interim champion Yafai his shot. We’ve been here before. We know what it takes to walk into another country and come out on top.”
Sandoval is rated No. 1 by The Ring at 112 pounds, Yafai No. 5.
Sandoval (27-2, 18 KOs) and company are as confident as ever going into the clash against Yafai. The 27-year-old from Los Angeles traveled to Japan in July and snatched the titles from Kenshiro Teraji with a hard-fought split-decision win.
Sandoval also has experience fighting on British soil. In 2021, he blasted Jay Harris inside eight rounds in Bolton.
It remains to be seen what version of Yafai (9-0, 7 KOs) shows up to slug it out with Sandoval. The 33-year-old southpaw from Birmingham hasn’t fought since suffering a brutal beating against Francisco Rodriguez Jr. in June.
Yafai, the WBC interim titleholder at the time, suffered a one-sided, unanimous decision loss to Rodriguez, absorbing 575 punches, 528 of which were power shots.
But the loss was clouded with controversy. Less than three weeks after their encounter, it was revealed that Rodriguez tested positive for a banned substance, and the result was later ruled a No Contest.
Prior to the Rodriguez fight, Yafai, a 2020 Olympic gold medalist for Great Britain, scored a career-best stoppage victory against Sunny Edwards in November 2024.
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Re: Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puello | DAZN - 6 June 2026
PLANNED JUNE 6 MATCHROOM SHEFFIELD CARD
Dalton Smith 
Alberto Puello - WBC super lightweight title 
Ricardo Sandoval Galal Yafai - Unified WBC & WBA flyweight titles
Josh Padley Aqib Fiaz - European super featherweight title
Ibrahim Nadim Ibraheem Sulaimaan - English super featherweight title
More expected to feature.Re: Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puello | DAZN - 6 June 2026
Good cardRuthless-RKO wrote: ↑14 Apr 2026, 00:43PLANNED JUNE 6 MATCHROOM SHEFFIELD CARD
Dalton Smith
Alberto Puello - WBC super lightweight title
Ricardo Sandoval
Josh Padley
Ibrahim Nadim
More expected to feature.
Re: Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puello | DAZN - 6 June 2026
Nice. Four proper title fights.
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Re: Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puello | DAZN - 6 June 2026
The main event is a bit of a letdown but the other fights are really solid Scrabble scores.Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑14 Apr 2026, 00:43
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Re: Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puello | DAZN - 6 June 2026
My head says Puello but there is something about Dalton that makes me fear picking against him. I don't think I can do it. He is a talented lad and really rose to the occasion last time out.
Re: Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puello | DAZN - 6 June 2026
I disagree man. Main event is very solid and looking forward to it. Undercard is letdown with nobody weigh more than 130 lbs. But it is boxing, could be much worse, so i am ok with thatTaansend wrote: ↑14 Apr 2026, 14:12The main event is a bit of a letdown but the other fights are really solid Scrabble scores.Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑14 Apr 2026, 00:43
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Re: Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puello | DAZN - 6 June 2026
Hope there is no pull out. Not the worst card. Could be some good fights.
Re: Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puello | DAZN - 6 June 2026
I like the card myself and I fancy Dalton's chances here
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Re: Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puello | DAZN - 6 June 2026
DALTON SMITH INSISTS THERE'S MORE TO ACHIEVE: 'JUST GETTING STARTED'
Life is good for Dalton Smith.
In January, the 29-year-old travelled to Brooklyn and knocked out Puerto Rico’s Subriel Matias in five exciting rounds to win the WBC junior welterweight title.
Smith (19-0, 14 KOs) returns home to make a mandatory defense of his newly-won title against Alberto Puello (24-1, 10 KOs) at Sheffield Arena on June 6, streamed exclusively on DAZN.
Smith is ranked No. 1 by The Ring for its 140-pound title, currently held by Shakur Stevenson. Puello sits four spots below him at No. 5, and this world title fight represents the first of Smith's new long-term Matchroom contract.
Smith won the English, British, Commonwealth and European belts before beating Matias to win the WBC world title but the seven-year pro told talkSPORT that this is just the beginning.
“I feel like I'm not fully at my peak yet. I feel like there's a lot more to come,” he said.
"I believe I'm just getting started. I've reached the pinnacle of boxing, but there's a lot more I want to go on to achieve while the hunger's still there, so we just keep going.”
Sheffield has a rich boxing history.
Smith will have grown up hearing stories about former world champions like the great Prince Naseem Hamed, Johnny Nelson, Clinton Woods and Paul 'Silky'Jones.
He was competing as an amateur during Kell Brook’s reign as the IBF welterweight champion and had just won the British 140-pound title when Kid Galahad became the IBF junior featherweight beltholder.
He is proud to be carrying the torch for the famous fighting city.
“Massively because I remember being that young kid, looking up to those guys so I've got to remind myself I'm now that guy who people look up to,” he said.
“As much as I don't like to see myself as some sort of celebrity or big time, I'm just a normal kid from Sheffield, but it's nice to know that kids look up to you.”
Smith’s knockout of Matias made him part of a very select group of British fighters who have managed to win a world title on the road.
Smith hasn’t been afforded a soft homecoming against a hand-picked challenger.
His championship reign gets underway with a tough defense against 31-year-old southpaw Puello, who narrowly lost a 12-round majority decision to Matias last summer.
“I've always fought who I’ve needed to fight. I've never avoided anyone, hence Puello. He's my mandatory and a former two-time world champion,” he said.
“There's no hiding at the top. You've got to fight the best when you're when you're world champion.”
Life is good for Dalton Smith.
In January, the 29-year-old travelled to Brooklyn and knocked out Puerto Rico’s Subriel Matias in five exciting rounds to win the WBC junior welterweight title.
Smith (19-0, 14 KOs) returns home to make a mandatory defense of his newly-won title against Alberto Puello (24-1, 10 KOs) at Sheffield Arena on June 6, streamed exclusively on DAZN.
Smith is ranked No. 1 by The Ring for its 140-pound title, currently held by Shakur Stevenson. Puello sits four spots below him at No. 5, and this world title fight represents the first of Smith's new long-term Matchroom contract.
Smith won the English, British, Commonwealth and European belts before beating Matias to win the WBC world title but the seven-year pro told talkSPORT that this is just the beginning.
“I feel like I'm not fully at my peak yet. I feel like there's a lot more to come,” he said.
"I believe I'm just getting started. I've reached the pinnacle of boxing, but there's a lot more I want to go on to achieve while the hunger's still there, so we just keep going.”
Sheffield has a rich boxing history.
Smith will have grown up hearing stories about former world champions like the great Prince Naseem Hamed, Johnny Nelson, Clinton Woods and Paul 'Silky'Jones.
He was competing as an amateur during Kell Brook’s reign as the IBF welterweight champion and had just won the British 140-pound title when Kid Galahad became the IBF junior featherweight beltholder.
He is proud to be carrying the torch for the famous fighting city.
“Massively because I remember being that young kid, looking up to those guys so I've got to remind myself I'm now that guy who people look up to,” he said.
“As much as I don't like to see myself as some sort of celebrity or big time, I'm just a normal kid from Sheffield, but it's nice to know that kids look up to you.”
Smith’s knockout of Matias made him part of a very select group of British fighters who have managed to win a world title on the road.
Smith hasn’t been afforded a soft homecoming against a hand-picked challenger.
His championship reign gets underway with a tough defense against 31-year-old southpaw Puello, who narrowly lost a 12-round majority decision to Matias last summer.
“I've always fought who I’ve needed to fight. I've never avoided anyone, hence Puello. He's my mandatory and a former two-time world champion,” he said.
“There's no hiding at the top. You've got to fight the best when you're when you're world champion.”
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Re: Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puello | DAZN - 6 June 2026
Cracking fight
Re: Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puello | DAZN - 6 June 2026
Puello is horrible. And I mean that in a nice way.
I'm hoping Smith puts in a performance & we get to see him in a 'big' fight next.
I'm hoping Smith puts in a performance & we get to see him in a 'big' fight next.
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Re: Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puello | DAZN - 6 June 2026 (OFF)
Dalton Smith has picked up an injury and his first WBC junior welterweight title defence against Alberto Puello, which was slated for June 6th in Sheffield, is now off 
The show goes on with Ricardo Sandoval vs Galal Yafai for the WBA and WBC flyweight world titles now the main event on DAZN.
The show goes on with Ricardo Sandoval vs Galal Yafai for the WBA and WBC flyweight world titles now the main event on DAZN.
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Re: Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puello | DAZN - 6 June 2026 (OFF)
SANDOVAL vs YAFAI UNIFICATION WORLD TITLE FIGHT TOPS THE BILL IN SHEFFIELD ON JUNE 6 – LIVE ON DAZN – AS DALTON SMITH IS SIDELINED
Dalton Smith has been ruled out of his scheduled WBC World Super Lightweight Title defence against Alberto Puello following an injury sustained during camp.
The event on Saturday, June 6 at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena – live worldwide on DAZN – will go ahead, however, headlined by Galal Yafai’s WBC & WBA World Flyweight Unification Championship challenge against champion, Ricardo Sandoval.
Tickets are on sale now. Refunds, if required, are available via the original point of purchase.
Elsewhere on the stacked undercard, Josh Padley defends his EBU European Super Featherweight Title against domestic rival, Aqib Fiaz.
Undefeated teenage Heavyweight sensation Leo Atang fights in his native Yorkshire, with fellow unbeaten rising stars Adam Maca and Connor Mitchell also in action. Coventry Middleweight Aaron Bowen takes on Troy Coleman, plus Ibraheem Sulaimaan battles Ibrahim Nadim for the English Super Featherweight Championship.
Dalton Smith has been ruled out of his scheduled WBC World Super Lightweight Title defence against Alberto Puello following an injury sustained during camp.
The event on Saturday, June 6 at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena – live worldwide on DAZN – will go ahead, however, headlined by Galal Yafai’s WBC & WBA World Flyweight Unification Championship challenge against champion, Ricardo Sandoval.
Tickets are on sale now. Refunds, if required, are available via the original point of purchase.
Elsewhere on the stacked undercard, Josh Padley defends his EBU European Super Featherweight Title against domestic rival, Aqib Fiaz.
Undefeated teenage Heavyweight sensation Leo Atang fights in his native Yorkshire, with fellow unbeaten rising stars Adam Maca and Connor Mitchell also in action. Coventry Middleweight Aaron Bowen takes on Troy Coleman, plus Ibraheem Sulaimaan battles Ibrahim Nadim for the English Super Featherweight Championship.
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Re: Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puello | DAZN - 6 June 2026 (OFF)
Injury means Ricardo Sandoval-Galal Yafai replaces Dalton Smith-Alberto Puello
Injury has ruled Dalton Smith out of his WBC junior-welterweight title defence against Alberto Puello on June 6 at the Sheffield Utilita Arena, so the WBC and WBA flyweight title fight between Galal Yafai and Ricardo Sandoval has been promoted to the status of main event.
The 29-year-old Smith was scheduled to make the first defence of his title in his home city of Sheffield, England, having so impressively won it from Subriel Matias in January in New York. Puello, 31 and of the Dominican Republic, had lost the same title to Matias in July 2025 but was Smith’s mandatory challenger.
Smith’s compatriot Yafai, from Birmingham, fights Sandoval in the 27-year-old American’s first defence of the titles won from Kenshiro Teraji, also in July 2025. His previous contest, with Francisco Rodriguez Jnr a month earlier, became a no contest when it was revealed that Rodriguez Jnr had failed a drugs test. It until then had represented the 33-year-old Yafai’s first defeat.
“Dalton Smith has been ruled out of his WBC super-lightweight title defence against Alberto Puello following an injury sustained during camp,” read a statement from the promoters Matchroom.
“The event on Saturday, June 6 at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena will go ahead, headlined by Galal Yafai’s WBC and WBA flyweight unification championship challenge against Ricardo Sandoval.”
Smith had just signed what was described as a “long-term extension” to their promotional agreement.
“Matchroom backed me from day one,” he then said. “They allowed me to build at the right pace, to collect titles, to become a regular headliner in Sheffield and to focus on achieving my dream of becoming WBC champion.
“I’m happy, I’m continuing to improve in the ring, and I know I’ve got the best team around me. There’s a lot of talk about loyalty these days, but my head hasn’t been turned. I’m delighted to commit my future to this winning team as we chase more success together.
“With Frank [Smith, Matchroom’s chief executive], Eddie [Hearn] and the wider Matchroom team, my advisor Sean O’Toole, and my whole training team led by my dad [Grant], we’ve got something special. This is the team that will take me to that next level.
“I will show everyone that I am the best 140lbs boxer in the world by collecting every belt in the division, and of course box at Hillsborough [in Sheffield] along the way. First up is to deal with my WBC mandatory, Alberto Puello.”
Injury has ruled Dalton Smith out of his WBC junior-welterweight title defence against Alberto Puello on June 6 at the Sheffield Utilita Arena, so the WBC and WBA flyweight title fight between Galal Yafai and Ricardo Sandoval has been promoted to the status of main event.
The 29-year-old Smith was scheduled to make the first defence of his title in his home city of Sheffield, England, having so impressively won it from Subriel Matias in January in New York. Puello, 31 and of the Dominican Republic, had lost the same title to Matias in July 2025 but was Smith’s mandatory challenger.
Smith’s compatriot Yafai, from Birmingham, fights Sandoval in the 27-year-old American’s first defence of the titles won from Kenshiro Teraji, also in July 2025. His previous contest, with Francisco Rodriguez Jnr a month earlier, became a no contest when it was revealed that Rodriguez Jnr had failed a drugs test. It until then had represented the 33-year-old Yafai’s first defeat.
“Dalton Smith has been ruled out of his WBC super-lightweight title defence against Alberto Puello following an injury sustained during camp,” read a statement from the promoters Matchroom.
“The event on Saturday, June 6 at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena will go ahead, headlined by Galal Yafai’s WBC and WBA flyweight unification championship challenge against Ricardo Sandoval.”
Smith had just signed what was described as a “long-term extension” to their promotional agreement.
“Matchroom backed me from day one,” he then said. “They allowed me to build at the right pace, to collect titles, to become a regular headliner in Sheffield and to focus on achieving my dream of becoming WBC champion.
“I’m happy, I’m continuing to improve in the ring, and I know I’ve got the best team around me. There’s a lot of talk about loyalty these days, but my head hasn’t been turned. I’m delighted to commit my future to this winning team as we chase more success together.
“With Frank [Smith, Matchroom’s chief executive], Eddie [Hearn] and the wider Matchroom team, my advisor Sean O’Toole, and my whole training team led by my dad [Grant], we’ve got something special. This is the team that will take me to that next level.
“I will show everyone that I am the best 140lbs boxer in the world by collecting every belt in the division, and of course box at Hillsborough [in Sheffield] along the way. First up is to deal with my WBC mandatory, Alberto Puello.”
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Re: Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puello | DAZN - 24 October 2026
The Dalton Smith vs Alberto Puello WBC junior welterweight title fight is being rescheduled for Oct 24th in Sheffield, England, sources tell The Ring’s @MikeCoppinger.
The fight was postponed from its June date after Smith injured his elbow.
The fight was postponed from its June date after Smith injured his elbow.