The story of Dalton Smith’s maiden world title defence against Alberto Puello in Sheffield
Sheffield’s Dalton Smith fended off the first challenger for his WBC light-welterweight title as he defeated Alberto Puello via split decision.
‘Thunder’ was made to work by the Dominican southpaw, who was a tricky customer at the Utilita Arena in the Steel City.
Tension hung heavy in the air for periods, but two of the three judges scored the fight in favour of the hometown hero. A fight at the home of Smith’s beloved Sheffield Wednesday - Hillsborough Stadium - now appears to be on the cards.
Elsewhere on the card, Doncaster veteran Maxi Hughes lost out on the WBC international silver lightweight title to the precocious Giorgio Visioli in the chief support slot.
Yorkshire prospects Leo Atang, Ed Hardy, Chris Mulunda and Joe Hayden all claimed victories, each doing so in stylish fashion to enhance their burgeoning reputations.
Dalton Smith v Alberto Puello
The opening round was predictably tense as two fighters with contrasting styles got to grips with each other. Puello put his size to good use, keeping a distance and reaching to get some early shots into the defending champion.
Smith responded in kind as the fight ticked into round two, developing his offence to send some sharp blows into the rangy challenger. Puello, however, was rarely at uncomfortably close quarters for long.
When ‘Thunder’ did close off the distance, the 29-year-old was quick to fire jabs through Puello’s defence. The home crowd were baying for blood, but it soon became apparent they were watching a chess match rather than an all-out war.
In the game of chess that was developing, Smith was the one making riskier moves. They were calculated risks though and it was the Yorkshireman in control as he ended round four with a purposeful right hook.
Intent on stopping Smith’s momentum, Puello emerged for round five looking to get back on the front foot. He slowed the momentum and got his hands going again, only to see Smith appear unflustered.
Puello’s bursts of aggression shone a light on Smith’s ability as a counter-puncher, as ‘Thunder’ repeatedly enjoyed his best flurries in response to a foray forward from the Dominican.
Round seven presented even more back-and-forth, with Smith trying to move in closer to cut Puello off. ‘The Wasp’, however, worked diligently to create distance and attack from afar.
Just as it appeared Puello was settling into a rhythm, Smith found the target with some vicious eighth-round shots.
‘Thunder’ stepped back on the gas early in round nine but showed his hand, absorbing a nasty right hand to the face as punishment. The affair remained enthrallingly competitive, with the evenly-matched nature dispensing tension across a partisan Utilita Arena.
Smith could not pluck the tension from the air in round 10, too often eating a punch when stepping forward.
Puello’s control of the distances weakened in round 11, inviting Smith back into the driving seat as noise returned to the arena.
When the final arrived, the common consesus was there was all to play for. Smith countered well to land a strong right hook early on and landed another barely 30 seconds later. The connections breathed confidence into the defending champion, who took an opportunity to showboat in the dying embers.
Smith was awarded a split-victory decision to the delight of a rapturous crowd, securing two 115-113 scores as Puello was given a 116-112 score by one judge.
Giorgio Visioli v Maxi Hughes
Hughes presented Visioli with the sternest test of his career to date, but a spirited display could not prevent the WBC international silver lightweight title going to the up-and-comer.
Both sought out centre court in the early stages, intent on being the hunter rather than the hunted. Very little landed in a tense opening round, with a decent shot from Hughes in the closing stages the only flashpoint of note.
It was more of the same in the second round, with the cagey affair only fleetingly threatening to explode into life.
Visioli continued his pursuit of an opening in the third round and while he looked marginally more assured, doing any significant damage to the seasoned Hughes proved difficult. The 23-year-old prospect’s grip on the fight, however, was tightening.
‘The Italian Job’ was effective in pushing Hughes into corners in round four, yet the Yorkshireman was equally effective at bursting out of them. The round ended with a flurry, each fighter hurling shots into each other as the final seconds ticked away.
Hughes continued to avoid the suffering of any notable damage as the fight moved into round five, yet Visioli’s comfort levels only appeared to be increasing.
Offences remained considered rather than chaotic as the affair progressed, with Visioli struggling to move seamlessly through the gears as he has against previous opponents.
There was little for fans of either fighter to shout about until the early stages of round eight, when Hughes picked up the pace. He drilled a flurry of shots into Visioli, forcing an uptick in the youngster’s aggression.
Perhaps aware of the likelihood of scorecards favouring Visioli, Hughes stepped back on to the front foot in round nine. Visioli managed distances well and even with blood drying on his face, held firm against the shots sent by ‘Maximus’.
The final round was handled efficiently by Visioli, who took the zip out of his opponent and ensured there was not a dramatic late rally.
One judge scored the fight even at 95-95, although two went with 96-94 in favour of Visioli.
Leo Atang v Jonathan Vergara
Atang’s stock is soaring at a remarkable speed and his reputation was only enhanced further by a merciless demolition of Vergara.
The Argentine saw the canvas in the opening minute, falling victim to a vicious right hook. Desperate swings came back in return but Atang was barely moved by them.
Two further knock-downs followed in the opening round and as it came to a close, the referee waved off the one-sided affair and gave Atang a TKO victory.
Ed Hardy v Diego Alberto Ruiz
Doncaster flyweight Hardy has had a busy 2026 and was in action for the fourth time this calendar year as he locked horns with Alberto Ruiz.
The 24-year-old’s activity had him looking fresh rather than fatigued and he was a bundle of energy as he went to work on his opponent.
Alberto Ruiz was a late replacement and battled valiantly, but few could argue with the decision to award a 79-73 points win to ‘Farm Boy’.
Chris Mulunda v Harley Collison
With Sunny Edwards in his corner, Rotherham middleweight Mulunda convincingly claimed the fifth win of his burgeoning career.
The 23-year-old was fleet-footed and busy, chipping away at Collison with explosive power. He delivered some particularly damaging blows to the body, retaining control throughout the six-rounder.
Joe Hayden v Will Harrison
An all-Yorkshire welterweight affair kicked off the evening, as Doncaster’s Hayden squared off with York’s Harrison.
There was high-profile representation in the corners, with Dave Allen in Hayden’s team and Josh Warrington supporting Harrison.
The unbeaten Hayden had Harrison floored inside 17 seconds, yet Harrison was not deterred. ‘Calm down’ was the message coming from his corner and it was one he took heed of.
Harrison roared back to make the fight a competitive one, albeit one he could not take control of. Hayden won comfortably on points, collecting the 25th victory of his professional career.