Dalton Smith Albert Puello Set for July 6

WBC super lightweight champion Dalton Smith’s (19-0, 14 KOs) Sheffield return officially set for Saturday, June 6 when he defends his title for the first time against Alberto Puello (24-1, 10 KOs) the Dominican Republic at the Sheffield Utilita Arena live DAZN.

Two-time World Champion Puello is desperate to reclaim the green and gold title he surrendered in a majority decision defeat to Subriel Matias in July last year. Matias didn’t hold the hardware for long, as Smith swooped in back in January to deliver one of the most memorable away victories in modern British boxing history.

‘Thunder’ Smith realised his boyhood dream of becoming a World Champion, leaving the Barclays Center in Brooklyn with a stunning stoppage to end a breathtaking firefight with a ferocious fifth-round knockout. Now Smith wants to put Puello to task and ensure a happy homecoming in front of his legion of fans.

"New York was a trip of a lifetime, but now it’s about bringing big World Title fights to Sheffield and it’s great to start my reign as champion back at the Utilita Arena,” said Smith.

"It’s straight into a mandatory defence so you expect world class opponents. There’s no denying Puello’s a top boxer. He’s a two-time champion for a reason.

"But I went to New York as the away fighter, with all the outside-the-ring stuff going on, and went toe-to-toe with the supposed bogeyman who had just beaten Puello - but that’s what we’re about in Sheffield: full of heart and nuts of steel.

"Puello’s an awkward southpaw, but it’s well known I love that style. It’ll be a big performance from me in my homecoming.

"I’ve had many special nights already at the Utilita Arena. The atmosphere will be rocking and I can’t wait to see everyone there on June 6 - or tune in live on DAZN."