Smith to make first WBC light-welterweight defence on 24 October

Dalton Smith will make the first defence of his WBC light-welterweight title on 24 October. He is scheduled to face mandatory challenger Alberto Puello in that bout.

Published: 2026-07-20T18:04:44.0000000Z. The announcement confirms that Smith, holding the WBC light-welterweight belt, will undertake his inaugural title defence later this year. The fight date is fixed for 24 October and the opponent named is Alberto Puello, who has been designated the mandatory challenger.

The match on 24 October will represent Smith's first defence of the WBC light-welterweight crown since he became titleholder. The pairing lists Alberto Puello in the challenger role that is required by the sanctioning body’s mandatory process. Both the date and the opponent were set out in the published notice.

Smith will enter the contest as the WBC light-welterweight champion aiming to complete his initial defence. Puello will take part as the mandatory challenger assigned to contest for the title. The timing gives a clear date for both fighters to prepare for the scheduled encounter.

The confirmation of a 24 October date settles the immediate roadmap for Smith’s reign at WBC light-welterweight. Alberto Puello’s mandatory status means this fight was the next formal step announced for the division. The published item on 2026-07-20T18:04:44.0000000Z provided the key details of the pairing and timing.

The scheduled bout on 24 October will therefore serve as Dalton Smith’s first defence of the WBC light-welterweight title against mandatory challenger Alberto Puello. The arrangements were made public on 2026-07-20T18:04:44.0000000Z.