Dalton Smith makes the first defence of his WBC light-welterweight title on Saturday night at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena against former champion Alberto Puello — and the boxing world has had its say on who comes out on top.
Smith v Puello: fight details and predictions
Unbeaten Smith, 29, returns for the first time since becoming world champion with a stunning knockout of Subriel Matias in New York in January. Puello, 32, from the Dominican Republic, is aiming to become a three-time world champion after losing his WBC belt to Matias on points last year — and has lost just once in 26 professional fights.
BBC Sport asked figures from across boxing for their verdicts, and the consensus is clear: Smith by decision, though nobody expects an easy night.
Former super-featherweight champion Barry Jones called it a harder fight than Matias: “Puello is a clever boxer who sits on the back foot and punches nice and long… It might be a bit of a frustrating night for him but I think he comes out on top on points.”
Paulie Malignaggi, a former two-weight world champion, backed “a comfortable decision,” while Viddal Riley — who has known Smith since they were 12-year-old roommates — went for a unanimous decision. The experts agree Puello’s slick southpaw style and body punching will complicate matters, but Smith’s angles of attack, power and work-rate should carry him through.
What’s next for Dalton Smith?
A win keeps the Sheffield dream alive — Smith has spoken of fighting at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough stadium — and one prediction had him cementing a place in the top 15 pound-for-pound rankings with back-to-back elite victories. For Puello, it’s one last shot at history as a three-time world champion.
Dalton Smith (Credits: Mark Robinson – Matchroom Sport)
Also Read: How Dalton Smith Can Become a Mainstream Star, According to Tony Bellew
Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
