Sheffield's Dalton Smith admits interest in Adam Azim bout full focus is on Alberto Puello
Dalton Smith would be open to a 2027 bout with Adam Azim
World light-welterweight champion Dalton Smith would be open to a 2027 bout with Adam Azim, but has scoffed at suggestions his British rival will face old nemesis Subriel Matias.
Smith will defend his WBC belt for the first time on Saturday at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena against Alberto Puello.
Whilst Smith is totally focused on Puello, Azim remains the elephant in the room given a long-running feud between the pair and there is a belief an eagerly-anticipated bout in the 140lbs division can happen. However, Azim has recently been linked with a fight against Matias.
“No, of course me and Adam Azim will be a great fight. As for him fighting Matias, it’s all for the clout. Anyone can make an offer,” Smith said.
“We stay on the right path and the fight is of high demand. Boxing is a business, we want that fight to happen and we want it to materialise.
“(In 2027) I want to keep that belt around my waist. Train hard, fight hard, put a great performance in and then we move onto what is bigger and better, but as of right now, it’s to do a job on Alberto Puello.”
Defeat Puello on Saturday and Smith will extend his record to 20 wins from 20 and close out a special 12 months.
Sheffield boxer Smith stunned world champion Matias in Brooklyn at the start of 2026 to claim the WBC belt, but insisted life has not changed and he is fully in the mode of what is next rather than reflecting on his achievements.
Smith said: “Has life changed? No, not really – still the same. I’ve still got the same routine in the gym, same routine every day so nothing has changed.
“Of course I have been able to see what I have achieved in my career, but boxing is always what’s next and it is hard. I guess the day you retire you can look back and see what you have achieved.
“You have to go in there fully prepared and I’m well prepared to get the job done.”