Sheffield star Dalton Smith eyes undisputed glory
Dalton Smith takes on Alberto Puello in Sheffield on October 24
Dalton Smith believes he has all the tools needed to make a successful first defence of his world title – and is ready to show them off in front of his home crowd.
The Handsworth fighter puts his WBC super lightweight belt on the line against Alberto Puello in Sheffield on October 24.
Smith became world champion in spectacular fashion in January when he stopped Subriel Matias in five rounds in New York.
That was a hard-fought, high-pressure battle, but Smith has shown throughout his unbeaten career that he is equally comfortable boxing behind his skills and picking opponents apart.
And the 29-year-old believes that ability to adapt could be vital against Puello.
“One thing I've shown is that I can fight or be a clinical boxer if I need to be,” Smith told The Ring. “Look, you've got to do what you've got to do to win a fight.
“I don't know how he's going to approach the fight. Whether he'll be on the back or front foot, we'll prepare for all angles. It's going to be an unbelievable performance for me.”
Puello, 32, is no stranger to world-level boxing, having twice held a title at 140lbs.
The Dominican southpaw has a 25-1 record, including 11 knockouts, and represents a very different challenge to the aggressive Matias.
Smith knows he cannot afford to get caught looking beyond his first title defence. But the bigger picture is clear.
The Sheffield star wants to follow in the footsteps of Josh Taylor and become undisputed champion at junior welterweight.
Taylor achieved that feat in 2021 and Smith is determined to match the Scot's accomplishment.
“Of course, one fight at a time but the sky's the limit. To become undisputed and do what Josh Taylor did, it would be an unbelievable achievement,” he told The Ring. “I can win one world title so there's no reason why I can't win them all.”
Smith's immediate priority is Puello, but there is already interest in what could come next.
Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz knocked out Nestor Bravo in San Diego last Saturday and has since called out Smith, putting his name into the mix for a future world-title showdown.
Before any of that, Smith has to deal with Puello.
And with the WBC belt around his waist, an unbeaten 19-0 record and a partisan home crowd behind him, the Steel City fighter has every reason to believe he can take another step towards his ultimate goal.