Dalton Smith vs Alberto Puello Official for June 6 in Sheffield

Dalton Smith will make the first defence of his WBC super lightweight title against Alberto Puello on June 6 at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena, Matchroom Boxing has confirmed. The bout will headline a DAZN broadcast as Smith returns home following his title-winning performance in New York in January.

Smith eyes legacy-building homecoming performance

Sheffield’s Utilita Arena will host Smith’s first defence since he stopped Subriel Matias in five rounds in January at Barclays Center. The victory marked one of the standout away wins by a British fighter in recent years and secured Smith the WBC title.

Now 19-0 (14 KOs), Smith returns to his home city for the first time as a world champion to face Puello, a former two-time titleholder with a record of 24-1 (10 KOs).

“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,” said Smith.

“It’s straight into a mandatory defence so you expect world class opponents. There’s no denying Puello’s a top boxer. He’s a 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’s an awkward southpaw, but it’s well known I love that style. 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 on June 6 – or tune in live on DAZN.”

Puello enters the contest looking to regain the WBC title he lost to Matias in July via majority decision. The Dominican has already held world honours on two occasions and is aiming to become a three-time champion.

“I’m excited to be fighting for my title again on June 6,” said Puello.

“I’m looking forward to becoming a three-time World Champion and making history in the United Kingdom in front of its wonderful fan base.

“[Dalton] Smith a good boxer. I’m excited to share the ring with him and give the fans a great fight.”

Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn framed the bout as another major domestic event and pointed to the significance of Smith’s title-winning performance earlier this year.

“This is another mega fight coming to British shores – and another one for fight fans to enjoy on the Global Home of Boxing, DAZN,” said Hearn.

“Dalton’s win in Brooklyn will live long in the memory. It was an incredible night. Now he has the chance to cement his legacy and forge his name into folklore.

“Dalton is the Steel City King and Alberto 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.”

WBC “stood firm” on Puello mandatory position

The bout follows a negotiation period in which Hearn had initially explored a voluntary defence for Smith after his win over Matias. However, the WBC enforced Puello’s mandatory status, leaving little room for alternative options.

Hearn described the matchup as a “very tough fight” for Smith and acknowledged the sanctioning body’s position after it “stood firm” on ordering the mandatory contest.

Smith’s rise to the title began with a stoppage win over Jose Zepeda in March 2024, which moved him into contention. He followed that with further activity, including a points victory over Mathieu Germain in Sheffield, before securing his shot at Matias.

In January, Smith travelled to Brooklyn as the challenger and produced a fifth-round knockout to claim the WBC belt, ending Matias’ reign in emphatic fashion.

Puello’s route back to a title opportunity has been more complex. A former WBA champion, he was stripped in 2023 after testing positive for clomiphene ahead of a scheduled defence against Rolando “Rolly” Romero. Puello later established that the substance had been prescribed while he and his wife were attempting to start a family.

He returned to action in December 2023 and quickly re-established himself as a leading contender. A victory over the previously unbeaten Gary Antuanne Russell in June 2024 earned him the interim WBC title, before he claimed the full championship with a split decision win over Sandor Martin in March 2025.

Puello’s most recent bout came in July, when he lost a majority decision to Matias in Queens. The result was debated, and while Puello sought a rematch, the WBC instead guaranteed him a shot at the winner of Matias’ next fight.

When Smith defeated Matias to win the title, Puello’s mandatory position transferred directly to the new champion, setting the stage for their June meeting.

A victory for Smith could quickly lead to unification opportunities, with WBA champion Gary Antuanne Russell having already identified him as a target earlier this year. For Puello, a win would mark a third world title reign and complete his return to the top of the division.