Doncaster trio set for big Sheffield Arena fight night
Details of the undercard have been announced by promoters Matchroom
Dalton Smith's world title defence will be a huge night for Sheffield boxing - and it will be a pretty big one for Doncaster too.
Handsworth's Smith protects his WBC super-lightweight belt against Dominican-born, former holder Alberto Puello on October 24, at Sheffield Arena.
Details of the undercard were announced yesterday by promoters Matchroom.
And the most noticeable name was that of Doncaster's Maxi Hughes, the veteran who rose from domestic-level setbacks to become IBO lightweight world champion in Leeds in 2021, successfully defended the belt twice, won the WBC Silver lightweight title in his home city in 2025, and remains active at 36 with a 29–9–2 record.
The southpaw will take on Giorgio Visioli, from Aldershot, an unbeaten foe with 11 wins and six KOs.
Visioli is 13 years his junior, but Hughes says there is: "Plenty life left in the old dog."
Hughes added: "A lot of armchair fans and people thought I’m finished.
"We’re where I am with my age in my career. I always knew the phone was going to ring. People look at me and think, ‘he’s been at that level and we think maybe he’s over the hill’.
"I’ve been around a while. I’m the oldest on this table" he said, referring to a Matchroom media event in Sheffield.
"People who I look up to in recent years are the likes of Kiko Martinez – he fought at a high level to the very end and he got to decide when he was done.
"That’s how I feel about it. Boxing gives me and my family a great life and I get to decide when I’m done.
"I still believe I’ve got what it takes. We had a bit of a hiccup earlier this year, (loss to Pierce O'Leary in Dublin at super-lightweight) I stepped up in weight and realised I’m nowhere near big enough for that weight on short notice.
"No regrets in taking that. I’ve reset and I’ve still got that desire.
"That’s why I’m sat here now. Giorgio is a great fighter, he’s the young pup coming through. It’s my job now to say, ‘it’s still my time’. I’m still current and I’m still enjoying my boxing."
Visioli countered: "I think it will bring the best out of me. Maxi has boxed in three world title eliminators, I think.
"I think he will bring the best out in me. It will allow me to bring more of my style out and show more counter punching and stuff.
"I’m looking forward to it. I was offered a few opponents but I was first to say yes to Maxi.
"I wanted the hardest challenge. I want to show the world what I can do. I think this is past British level.
"I think he is fringe European level. This is past British level and I’m looking forward to showing my levels on that night.
"I can’t wait. If I win this fight, bigger fights are in the distance.
"For us, our team hasn’t thought that he’s over the hill at all. We’ve just been offered the fight and we’ve taken it. We’re going to train fully prepared and think he’s still there. Those last two fights, we’re not even going to look at those last two fights. He only had two weeks’ notice. We’re going to look at previous fights and see what we can do from there.
"I believe I can go all the way so we’ve got to take these fights and I’m looking forward to it."
The bill also includes Doncaster farmer Edward Hardy.
The Steel City fighter is moving up in weight in his first ten rounder, to face Keighley's Ibrahim Nadim.
The Sunny Edwards-managed boxer said it meant a lot to have been selected on the undercard of Smith's first defence.
"You can expect an explosive performance...it is not going to be boring" he told the Boxed IN podcast.
Conisbrough's unbeaten Joe Hayden is also in a Yorkshire derby against York welterweight Will Harrison.
Hayden said it was: "Another step in the right direction, a big fight on a big card and a great opportunity to showcase more of what I can do."
Smith's bill also features Steel City prospect Chris Mulunda, who will be looking for his fifth professional win.
The 23-year-old middleweight is thrilled to be boxing at the Arena for a second time - he was on Josh Padley's undercard in June.
His opponent is yet to be announced.