The steel city is set to host a titanic clash of styles and wills. This Saturday, October 24, the Utilita Arena in Sheffield, England, will play host to a pivotal night in the junior welterweight division as local hero Dalton Smith makes the first defense of his WBC World Title against the dangerous and experienced former champion, Alberto Puello. The event will be broadcast live and exclusively on DAZN.
For Dalton Smith (16-0, 12 KOs), this is the moment he has dreamed of since he first laced up a pair of gloves in the amateur ranks of Sheffield. The undefeated 27-year-old has long been touted as one of Britain’s brightest boxing talents, a fighter with a fan-friendly style, devastating body punching, and the charisma to fill arenas.
His coronation came earlier this year when he dismantled the rugged Jose Zepeda in a dominant performance to claim the vacant WBC strap. Now, the “Thunder” from Sheffield faces a completely different challenge—not just an opponent, but the pressure of defending his title on home soil for the first time.
Fight Card:
“This is what I’ve worked my whole life for,” Smith said at the final press conference. “Fighting in Sheffield, defending my world title in front of my people. Alberto Puello is a great champion, a true warrior, but he’s coming into my backyard, and I plan on putting on a show. I’m not just fighting for myself; I’m fighting for the city.”
Standing across the ring will be a man with everything to prove. Alberto Puello (22-0, 10 KOs) is a former WBA and WBC Interim champion who has been on the wrong side of boxing politics for the past few years. The Dominican southpaw is slick, defensively sound, and possesses a high boxing IQ. He is not coming to Sheffield to be a stepping stone.
Puello’s journey has been one of perseverance. After capturing the WBA title in 2022, he was elevated to “Champion in Recess” due to a failed drug test (for which he was later cleared of wrongdoing). He has been clamoring for a shot at the full champion to reclaim what he believes is rightfully his.
“I have waited a long time for this opportunity,” Puello stated through a translator. “I respect Dalton and his team, but I am not here to lose. I am here to become the undisputed champion. I know the crowd will be against me, but when the bell rings, it will be just me and him. I will silence the arena.”
The Tactical Battle
On paper, the styles promise a fascinating contest. Smith is a pressure fighter who excels at cutting off the ring and breaking opponents down with a relentless body attack, particularly to the liver. His power is concussive, and his stamina allows him to maintain a high work rate for all twelve rounds.
Puello, meanwhile, is a crafty southpaw who uses angles and feints to confuse his opponents. He is excellent at rolling with punches and countering. His main question mark has been his inactivity and whether he can withstand the physical onslaught of a younger, hungrier fighter like Smith.
The key for Smith will be to close the distance and not allow Puello to settle into a rhythm. If he can corner the Dominican and go to the body early, he could break him down late. For Puello, the task is to use his footwork to keep the fight in the center of the ring, pot-shotting the champion and avoiding the ropes at all costs.
The Verdict
This fight represents a significant step up in class for Dalton Smith. While he looked spectacular against Zepeda, Puello is a completely different puzzle—a skilled technician who has never tasted defeat. However, the fight takes place in Sheffield, in front of a raucous crowd that will be chanting Smith’s name from the first bell.
The energy of the crowd, combined with Smith’s relentless body punching, should be the deciding factors. Puello will have his moments and may frustrate Smith early with his herky-jerky movement, but the champion’s pressure will eventually take its toll.
Expect a competitive fight that turns into a war of attrition. Smith will likely have to dig deep, but his youth, momentum, and hometown advantage should see him through.
Prediction: Dalton Smith via 9th-round TKO.
How to Watch:
The event kicks off with the undercard at 7:00 PM GMT (2:00 PM ET). The main event ring walks are expected around 10:00 PM GMT (5:00 PM ET). The entire card will be streamed live on DAZN.
