Dalton Smith edges Puello to keep WBC title – home win in Sheffield
Dalton Smith remains WBC super lightweight champion. In his hometown of Sheffield he beat Alberto Puello by split decision and stays unbeaten.
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Dalton Smith has made the first successful defence of his WBC super lightweight title. The Briton beat Alberto Puello by split decision on Saturday night at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield: two judges scored it 115-113 for Smith, one 116-112 for Puello. Smith moves to 20-0.
It was Smith's first fight since his fifth-round knockout of Subriel Matias in Brooklyn in January. The defence was originally set for June but was postponed after Smith suffered an elbow injury. Puello, 32, a two-time world champion, had previously lost only to Matias.
The BBC names a unification with WBA champion Gary Antuanne Russell or WBO champion Shakur Stevenson as possible next steps. A clash with Adam Azim at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough Stadium in 2027 has also been discussed.