Dalton Smith to defend WBC light-welterweight title against Alberto Puello at Utilita Arena on 24 October

Dalton Smith will defend his WBC light-welterweight title against Alberto Puello at Sheffield's Utilita Arena on 24 October, the unbeaten 29-year-old having returned home for his first defence.

Smith won the WBC belt in January by stopping Subriel Matias in New York and enters the October contest with a 19-0 professional record, 14 victories inside the distance. The bout had been scheduled for June but was postponed after Smith suffered an injury in training.

Speaking at a news conference in his home town, Smith stressed a cautious approach, saying: "You don't overlook anything. One fight at a time." He added: "Once that hand is raised on 24 October we'll see what's next. But everybody knows Hillsborough is the cherry on the top for me."

Matchroom chief executive Frank Smith played down any talk of looking past Puello while outlining longer-term targets, saying: "He's not looking past this. It's a proper fight," he said. "But after this unification fights are there and the big night in Hillsborough is there."

Puello, 32, previously held the WBA title from 2022 to 2023 before becoming WBC champion in 2024 and then losing that belt to Matias in July 2025; that defeat remains the only loss on his 26-fight record. Speaking through a translator, Puello said: "I don't see many weaknesses in him but it will be hugely satisfying to come here to his hometown to rip his belt," he said. "It will be really satisfying for me and a humiliation for him."

Smith responded to Puello's challenge with two quotes at the press event: "He wants to do to me what I did to Matias but believe me, that's not going to happen," and "Me fighting in my home town with the support behind me as a world champion, it gives me that extra fire." The otherwise low-key, media-only event ended with the two fighters shaking hands.

Smith must first get past two-time former world champion Alberto Puello at Sheffield's Utilita Arena on 24 October.