Dalton Smith vs Alberto Puello Postponed After Training Injury

Dalton Smith’s scheduled WBC super lightweight title defence against Alberto Puello has been postponed after Smith suffered an injury in training camp, according to promoter Matchroom Boxing.

Smith had been set to defend his title against mandatory challenger Puello at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield on June 6, in what was due to be his first defence since winning the belt earlier this year. An update is expected in due course regarding his recovery timeline and when the fight can be rescheduled.

The setback halts momentum built from Smith’s last outing on January 10, 2026, when he stopped Subriel Matias in the sixth round in New York. The victory, described as one of the most significant away wins by a British boxer by his promoter, Eddie Hearn, established Smith as a leading figure in the 140lb division and set up a homecoming defence expected to strengthen his position further.

The postponement comes just days after Smith signed a new long-term promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing and publicly outlined ambitions to unify the super lightweight division. In multiple interviews last week, he had pointed to the Puello fight as an immediate focus, while also identifying a future bout with Shakur Stevenson as a “dream fight,” describing it as a potential “rewind” of Floyd Mayweather vs Ricky Hatton, ideally staged at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield or in Las Vegas.

Puello’s challenge had been positioned as a key moment in Smith’s progression, with the Sheffield event expected to build on his growing local support as one of Britain’s emerging stars. Instead, attention now shifts to Smith’s recovery and the rearrangement of a mandatory defence that remains required for his WBC title.

Despite the main event postponement, the rest of the June 6 card will proceed. Galal Yafai’s challenge of Ricardo Sandoval for the WBC & WBA flyweight titles will now headline the event, supported by Josh Padley against Aqib Fiaz for the European super featherweight title and Ibraham Nadim versus Ibraheem Suaimann for the English super featherweight belt. Leo Atang, Adam Maca and Aaron Bowen are also scheduled to appear.

Further clarity on Smith’s condition and the rescheduling of his bout with Puello is expected, with the WBC mandatory position ensuring the contest remains a priority once he is cleared to return.