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QUICK JAB

Smith Defends WBC Junior Welterweight Title, Urges Hillsborough Fight

Quick Jab Boxing
· 1 MIN READ
Editorial illustration of a championship belt on a corner stool beside an arena approach.
Editorial illustration of a championship belt on a corner stool beside an arena approach.Editorial illustration.

Dalton Smith successfully defended his WBC junior welterweight title with a split-decision victory over Alberto Puello at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena.

Following the fight, Smith urged his promoter Eddie Hearn to deliver his dream of headlining Hillsborough Stadium.

Smith stated that he wants to fight at Hillsborough, the home of Sheffield Wednesday, with the band Arctic Monkeys performing live for his ring walk.

“I want Hillsborough, Arctic Monkeys, and have a proper Sheffield night.”

The three judges scored the bout 115-113, 115-113 and 112-116. Smith acknowledged the final rounds were tight. “Look, it was pretty close in rounds eight, nine. I believe I got 10, 11 and 12 to win it by three rounds, but we knew it wasn’t going to be easy.”

Smith said he hurt Puello early but took his foot off the gas in the middle rounds, and that his father urged him to push on strong to finish the fight. “I just believe he got my respect early on. I believe I hurt him. I took my foot off the gas in the middle rounds. My dad was like, ‘Look, we need to push on strong to finish the fight.’ The belt’s staying with us. I did what I had to do.”

Smith’s record is reported as 20-0 with 14 knockouts. Smith said Joe Calzaghe messaged him good luck that morning.

Smith’s victory over Puello and his knockout of Subriel Matias in January have reportedly put him in the conversation for Fighter of the Year.

Smith said he is going to enjoy his victory for a couple of weeks before starting conversations about his next fight. Smith said Eddie Hearn will start conversations about the Hillsborough fight after Smith takes a break.

Hillsborough has a capacity of around 35,000, and Smith would likely need a marquee opponent to help fill the stadium. Smith stated that he believes he is just getting started and wants bigger and bigger nights. Smith stated that his number one goal is to sell out Hillsborough and have a big fight there.

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