RESULTS Smith retains WBC title over Puello; Ryan stops Dolan in Sheffield

A split verdict kept Dalton Smith's unbeaten record intact, and the talk afterwards moved quickly to what comes next. Smith, now 20-0, retained the WBC super lightweight title in Sheffield, but one judge had Alberto Puello winning by four points, 116-112, while the other two scored it 115-113 for the champion.

It was the first defence of the belt Smith won in January by stopping Subriel Matias in five rounds in New York. The fight with Puello was first planned for June and was delayed by an elbow injury. Puello, a former titleholder whose only defeat before this came against Matias, made it awkward. According to Combat Sports UK, Smith admitted he "switched off a little bit in the early rounds" before winning the last couple. Boxing News described Smith controlling the first five rounds with right-hand counters before Puello's activity turned the fight.

Smith used the ring interview to name WBO champion Shakur Stevenson as the opponent he wants, saying the two could build something big. Stevenson has not responded and nothing is booked. Domestic rival Adam Azim, speaking to RS Boxing TV, scored it a round for Puello and said a Smith fight is still a massive one for both. Azim has not fought since beating Steve Claggett in May.

At the press conference Smith said his number one goal is to sell out Hillsborough, ideally walking out to the Arctic Monkeys playing live. Eddie Hearn said Sheffield Wednesday's owners were at the arena and want a Smith fight there next year, which he sees as a unification. As Smith's promoter he would probably look at other names in the division, including Gary Russell, before a Stevenson fight. No date or opponent is set.

On the undercard, Shannon Ryan avenged her only defeat. Dolan beat her by majority decision in June 2024, but this time Ryan dropped her twice with heavy right hands and Dolan's corner threw in the towel at 46 seconds of round one. Ryan, now 12-1, took the British title and kept her Commonwealth and IBF Intercontinental belts. She wants the winner of Irma Garcia against Nataly Delgado, who are fighting for unified IBF and WBA belts.

Watch for Stevenson's response and whether Matchroom names a Hillsborough date and opponent.

 

[Scheels]