Dalton Smith is set to make the first defense of his junior welterweight title against Alberto Puello on June 6 in his hometown of Sheffield, located in northern England, as confirmed by Matchroom.
Smith (19-0, 14 KOs) captured the WBC belt in January, defeating Subriel Matias with a knockout in the fifth round in Brooklyn.
He will return to the UK to compete as a world champion for the first time on home soil.
Smith is currently ranked No. 5 in the junior welterweight division by ESPN, while Puello (24-1, 14 KOs) holds the No. 7 ranking and is the mandatory challenger for Smith’s title.
Smith’s victory over Matias, particularly the way it unfolded, surprised many and was celebrated as one of the significant achievements by a British fighter abroad. The contest turned into a fierce exchange before Smith landed two right hands that ended the bout in Round 5.
“New York was an unforgettable experience, but now it’s about bringing major world title bouts to Sheffield, and it’s fantastic to begin my championship reign back at the Utilita Arena,” Smith stated.
“It’s an immediate mandatory defense, so you anticipate facing world-class opponents. There’s no doubt that Puello is an elite boxer. He has been a two-time champion for a reason.”
Puello is a two-time junior welterweight champion, having secured titles in 2022 and 2025 before suffering his only career loss to Matias in July 2025.
“This is yet another significant fight coming to British soil — and another opportunity for fans to enjoy on the Global Home of Boxing, DAZN. Dalton’s victory in Brooklyn will be remembered for a long time. It was an extraordinary evening. Now he has the opportunity to solidify his legacy and etch his name into history,” promoter Eddie Hearn remarked.
“Dalton is the Steel City King, and Alberto Puello — a tough, former two-time world champion in his own right — will face a challenging night with an electrifying atmosphere awaiting him in Sheffield.”
