Dalton Smith Beats Alberto Puello by Split Decision to Retain WBC Title

Dalton Smith retained his WBC super lightweight championship Saturday with a split-decision victory over Alberto Puello at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield, England.

Two judges scored the 12-round fight 115-113 for Smith. The third had Puello ahead 116-112, according to BBC Sport’s report from the arena. The victory improved Smith’s professional record to 20-0 in his first defense of the belt.

Smith won the championship in January by stopping Subriel Matias in the fifth round in Brooklyn. Puello, a former two-time world champion, presented a different assignment for the Sheffield fighter in a close contest built around movement, counterpunching and narrow rounds.

Smith said he wants to headline Hillsborough Stadium in 2027 and discussed Shakur Stevenson as a possible opponent. No future fight was announced after the decision in Sheffield.

The result completes the title fight covered in the pre-fight championship stakes. Smith leaves his homecoming with the belt and his unbeaten record intact.