What to Know
- WBC Super Lightweight champion Dalton Smith successfully defended his title in Sheffield by majority decision against former world champion Alberto Puello of the Dominican Republic.
- Smith is now a potential challenger to WBO and Ring champion Shakur Stevenson.
- Fans got two thrilling knockout wins from super flyweight contender Shannon Ryan and teenage heavyweight Leo Atang.
Call it the Shakur Stevenson sweepstakes in Sheffield. Both Dalton Smith and Alberto Puello knew a win would position the winner and champion toward a unification fight opportunity with Shakur Stevenson of Newark, New Jersey.
Fans watching bit their nails down to the nubs watching a tense fight between Smith and Puello, with so many rounds difficult to score. The outcome could depend on any particular judge’s view of the ring, and a handful of good punches landed.
At the end of the fight, Smith gave his hometown Sheffield fans an Ali shuffle as the final bell sounded, confident of the win. Trainer Ismael Salas and Puello were equally confident in their corner.
Smith of Sheffield (20-0, 14 KOs) pulled out a narrow split decision over Puello of the Dominican Republic based in Las Vegas (25-2, 11 KOs). Scores were 115-113 twice for Smith, and 116-112 for Puello.
Puello left the ring after his second narrow defeat, losing the title Smith now holds after a split-decision win over Subriel Matias. Smith then beat Matias to win the belt in play Saturday.
Dalton Smith: “I’m Proving I’m Number One”
“We knewwhatwewascominginfor,” said Smith.“It wasgoingtobeanawkwardopponent.Achampionhastodowhathehasto, andthesearethebestintheworld.AndI’mprovingthat’swhyI’mnumberonenow.
Turning to his fans in the packed Utilita Arena, Smith said, “Did youeverthinkIwasgoingtovacatethis belttogoadifferentroute?Notachance! Iwantedtobringitbackhomeforeverysinglepersoninhere,” said Smith.
Puello won the early rounds behind his excellent jab. His footwork and handspeed are world-class. As Smith settled in and got his measure of Puello, he began moving in and landing significant headshots. Both men put together effective body work, with Smith ramping up his attack in the second half.
Puello’s jab remained disciplined and on point. Smith landed the flashier punches. Which approach did the judges value most? Smith won by a razor’s edge. A draw would have been fair. But Puello and Salas must be kicking themselves after two narrow decision losses in title fights.
“I got his rhythm early on. I think he respected my power, but look, he’s experienced. He’s a lot more experienced than me, and that’s what I’m gaining now,” said Smith, who admitted to a slow start, but a strong finish. “I did what true champions do and had to win the last couple. So I’m very proud.”
The Shakur Stevenson Sweepstakes
Now that Shakur Stevenson is no longer working with Zuffa Boxing, Stevenson becomes a realistic opponent for Smith in a unification fight.
Matchroom Boxing chairman Eddie Hearn and Smith have made it clear they want to stage a major unification fight for Smith, potentially next spring at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield. Hearn confirmed it in the ring, saying Smith has beaten two of the best in the division in Puello and Subriel Matias.
“Tonight, for me, Dalton Smith cemented himself as the number one pound-for-pound fighter in Britain,” said Hearn. “I know that money plays a big part in boxing, and we want to make sure this guy lives a wonderful life. But first and foremost, he’s a real fighter who wants belts, legacy, and to make his city proud. That’s the most important thing to Dalton Smith.”
Hearn said as a world champion, unification fights come next for Smith, and it’s time to move up a notch by booking Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield, with a capacity of just under 35,000.
Hearn said talks with the venue are underway and positive. “These people want to bring big nights to the city. They want to make sure that their own can really perform on the brightest lights. To see Dalton Smith unify the World Championship at Hillsborough will be a wonderful, wonderful occasion for this team and British boxing.”
But who’s the dance partner? An alternative is WBA champion Gary Antuanne Russell, but Hearn name-checked Shakur Stevenson.
“We’ve got respect for him as well. He’s a great fighter. But that’s what we want to see. We want to see the best fight the best. And I know Shakur Stevenson, he loves Sheffield in May,” joked Hearn. “Let’s give Sheffield a fight and a night they’ll never forget.”
Smith vs Shakur: Like Hatton and Mayweather
Smith said boxing is business, and he has a lot of respect for Stevenson. “You know, this takes me back to the Ricky Hatton and (Floyd) Mayweather days, and we can build something good. And true respect to Shakur is a great champion,” adding only that he wants to be part of the biggest fights and leave a big legacy. Someone should remind Smith things didn’t go so well for Hatton against Floyd.
Undercard Results: Shannon Ryan and Leo Atang Thrown Down the KOs
Sheffield fans loved seeing two quick knockdowns from two talented British contenders. If you have four minutes, you can watch both fights in their entirety.
British and Commonwealth Super Flyweight champion Shannon Ryan (12-1, 3 KOs) believes she’s ready for a title fight. But first, Ryan insisted on getting revenge for her single loss, saying she “needed to right the wrong” before moving on.
Mission accomplished and then some as Ryan flattened Emma Dolan of Nottingham (9-2, 1 KO) with a succession of powerful right hooks, scoring her first of three knockdowns just seconds into the fight. Dolan gamely got to her feet only to taste the same punch again, and again, until referee Howard Foster stopped the fight at 46 seconds of the round.
Ryan is currently the IBF’s number one challenger and is in line to be the IBF mandatory challenger to Irma Garcia of Mexico, who defeated Dolan by knockout in her last fight.
Garcia will defend her title on November 8 at a Most Valuable Promotions MVPW07 card headlined by Alycia Baumgardner in Arlington, Texas, against Panama’s Nataly Delgado. Delgado upset Jasmine Artega in June. Putting the two power punchers together would be fireworks.
But Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn fancies a matchup with the popular Mizuki Hirata of Japan, the undefeated WBO and Ring Magazine World Super Flyweight champion. Flip a coin, and the fans win whether it’s heads or tails.
Teenage heavyweight Leo Atang of Yorkshire (10-0, 9 KOs) apologized to his growing fan following in Sheffield for taking out Jonathan Exequiel Vergara of Argentina (9-5, 5 KOs) in one round. Vergara was standing straight up and open for everything Atang launched. He was knocked down for the third time just seconds before the bell rang, but the referee mercifully waved off the fight.
Atang says he’s now looking forward to appearing on Matchroom’s annual fight card in Monte Carlo on December 12, an important showcase for Atang as he progresses in his career. He said he’s excited to buy himself a new suit for the occasion.
George Visioli Passes The Test Against Maxi Hughes
Lightweight prospect Giorgio Visioli of Hampshire (12-0, 6 KOs) took a step up against veteran and fan favorite Maxi Hughesof Yorkshire (29-10-2, 6 KOs). The 36-year-old veteran proved he still has life in him, holding Visioli to a narrow split-decision win. Scores were 96-94 twice and 95 even. Hughes didn’t argue after hearing the scores.
Visioli started boxing at age 15 and quickly rose through the British amateur system. Now 25, he’s eager to advance his pro career. He fought patiently behind a textbook jab, but at times he was too controlled. Hughes won rounds by going for broke, but he struggled to maintain the effort after so much wear and tear.
Hughes is still popular, and his fans booed when they heard the scores.