Warm Sheffield welcome for Dalton Smith's title rival

“It was a privilege to have Alberto here with us”

In the next few weeks, he is going to be public enemy number one in Sheffield.

Alberto Puello at Riley's gym in Hillsborough | UGC

placeholder image — Alberto Puello at Riley's gym in Hillsborough | UGC

Yet Alberto Puello was offered the the sporting hand of friendship when he turned up at Rob Riley's gym in Hillsborough.

The former WBA and WBC world super-lightweight champion was welcomed into The Old Forge to do some training and promotional work, ahead of his fight with Handsworth's Dalton Smith in October.

Promoters Matchroom Boxing asked Riley if they could use his facilities before Puello headed back to his home in the Dominican Republic.

"When they contacted us we said, 'no problem' - it was a privilege to have Alberto here with us" said Rob.

"He did some bag, pad and shadow boxing work while the cameras were on him.”

"He looked really good and was a lovely man to talk to, as were his coaches, who were very approachable as well" said Riley.

"We made them welcome and they will be coming back to train here a week or two before the fight with Dalton."

Riley said there was no awkwardness about hosting the fighter who will be trying to take Smith's WBC belt away from Sheffield.

"No none, at all. We are big Dalton fans, but you have to be diplomatic about this - let the best man win" he said.

"And also, hopefully, Matchroom will have an interest in us in the future."

The gym owner has fond memories of Smith, now aged 29, when he was growing up.

"I remember seeing him for the first time at Colley Club in Parson Cross, as a youngster.

"I didn't know him from Adam, but I could see he was something special.

"I went over to his dad (Grant) and told him he'd be a national champion one day. He said he already is!

"I said he would go on and box for Great Britain and lo and behold, what he has accomplished.

"I asked him to sign a poster at the time, telling him: 'I believe you are going to be the star of this town!"

*The Old Forge hosts a boxing show on September 26, featuring the return of Basegreen's Ricky Reeves after years out, and headlined by unbeaten Wombwell welterweight Jake Jon Cleary.