Eddie Hearn Targeting Dalton Smith–Alberto Puello for Early June in Sheffield

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn is targeting an early June date in Sheffield for a potential WBC super lightweight title fight between Dalton Smith and mandatory challenger Alberto Puello.

The WBC formally ordered the bout this week, giving both camps 30 days to reach an agreement before the matter proceeds to a purse bid scheduled for April 3 should negotiations fail. Smith, 19-0 (14 KOs), is preparing for the first defence of the title he won in January.

Speaking during a media huddle on Friday afternoon, Hearn confirmed discussions are underway with Puello’s manager, Luis DeCubas, and described the proposed bout as a “big fight for Sheffield.”

Hearn had initially hoped Smith could make a voluntary defence following his title-winning performance against Subriel Matias but said he understands the WBC’s decision after the sanctioning body “stood firm” on ordering the mandatory fight. He also acknowledged the challenge Puello presents, describing it as a “very tough fight” for the newly crowned champion.

Smith captured the WBC title with a fifth-round knockout of Matias on January 10 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, entering the bout as the division’s mandatory challenger. The Sheffield native had previously moved into title contention with a knockout victory over veteran contender Jose Zepeda in March 2024 and added further wins while awaiting his shot, including a dominant points victory over Mathieu Germain last April in Sheffield.

Puello, 24-1 (10 KOs), is a former WBA super lightweight champion and remains one of the division’s most experienced contenders. The Dominican southpaw previously held the WBA title before being stripped in 2023 after testing positive for the banned substance clomiphene ahead of a scheduled defence against Rolando “Rolly” Romero. Puello later demonstrated that the substance had been prescribed while he and his wife were attempting to start a family.

Following his suspension, Puello returned to the ring in December 2023 and soon worked his way back into title contention. He defeated the previously unbeaten Gary Antuanne Russell in June 2024 to claim the interim WBC super lightweight title. He then captured the vacant full championship belt with a split decision victory over Sandor Martin in March 2025.

Puello’s most recent bout came last July, when he lost a majority decision to Matias in Queens, New York. The result was widely debated, prompting Puello to seek an immediate rematch, though the WBC instead guaranteed that he would face the winner of Matias’ next fight.

When Smith stopped Matias earlier this year to claim the WBC title, Puello’s mandatory position carried over to the new champion.

Should Smith successfully defend his belt against Puello, potential unification opportunities could follow quickly. WBA champion Gary Antuanne Russell has already identified Smith as a target, stating earlier this year that the Brit sits on his “hit list” after defeating Matias to claim the WBC title.

Negotiations between the two camps are ongoing as they attempt to finalize terms within the WBC’s negotiation window, with Matchroom hoping to stage Smith’s first world title defence in front of a home crowd in Sheffield.