Smith missed with an early right as he threw from distance but then he found his range with the next attack to land on Puello.

That was a better round for Smith as the Dominican Republic fighter was not as active or accurate as he was in the first.

Image source, Getty Images

Richie Woodhall
Former boxing world champion on BBC Radio 5 Live

Wide stance. Slowing it down. [Puello] knows that Dalton has the speed. Dalton just has to do a little bit more, trip his opponent up. He definitely has the speed, but he just has to use it.

Steve Bunce
Boxing expert on BBC Radio 5 Live

i think we have just seen the best quality round of boxing take place in a British ring this year. Two men with the quality and pedigree they have. Absolutely nothing in it.

There wasn't a lot between them in a quiet opening round as both men try to feel each other out.

Smith is looking to find his way inside the southpaw stance of Puello, who looks to have a reach advantage.

The challenger lands with a couple of good lefts from that southpaw stance.

The Sheffield man got through with a right of his own. That was tight and tense.

Image source, Getty Images

Richie Woodhall
Former boxing world champion on BBC Radio 5 Live

This is the type of contest that if Dalton Smith gets it wrong tonight tactically then he's in for a very bad night, because this fella [Puello] is as hard as nails. He's a two time world champion and he's a southpaw.

Dalton normally does good against southpaws but the last one he fought was Jose Zepeda, the American he beat in the fifth round.

We are underway in Sheffield...

Eddie Hearn
Boxing promoter on 5 Live

Dalton wants to become undisputed, he wants to unify the division.

Every world champion should want to do that. If he wins tonight it’s a toss up between Shakur Stevenson and Dalton Smith about who is the world number one at 140lb.

Shakur is the Ring Magazine champion, Dalton is ranked number one.

Richie Woodhall
Former boxing world champion on BBC Radio 5 Live

If Dalton is in and out with his feet, plays it tricky, he’ll be able to beat [Alberto Puello] fairly comfortably as long as he doesn’t stand and trade.

If he stands and trades against Puello, he’s fairly strong, he’ll back you against the ropes.

If you want to impress and take your opponent on and please your home crowd [Puello] is that type of opponent and that style will backfire because that is what Puello likes. For people to just stand in front of him and trade. Decent jab, very low leading hand, very good left uppercut if the opponent is coming low but he needs the opponent to be static.

The referee for tonight's main event is England's Lee EveryThe three judges ringside are England's Kieran McCann, Spain's Jon Llona and Philippines' Ray Danseco.

Kal Sajad
BBC Sport boxing journalist at Utilita Arena, Sheffield

Alberto Puello lost his WBC world title to Subriel Matias on points in July 2025. Six months later, Dalton Smith knocked out Matias in the fifth round to become champion.

So does that make Smith the better fighter? Not necessarily. Boxing doesn't work like that.

Southpaw Puello gave Matias a completely different type of fight and many observers felt the Dominican had done enough to win.

Smith might have beaten one of the division's most feared punchers, but he's now facing one of its most awkward technicians.

Eddie Hearn
Boxing promoter on 5 Live

After that win by Dalton Smith against Subriel Matias, you think he really deserves a bit of an easy touch for a homecoming, but it’s a real real tough fight.

He’s fully aware of how good Puello is. Like I said, he’s a two-time world champion, he has a win over Gary Russell Jr, who is a reigning world champion. I felt like he beat Matias, but one thing for certain, Dalton Smith wants to be remembered as a great.

To be that you have to build a resume, and to end 2026 with wins over Matias in New York and Alberto Puello, I think, puts him arguably as Britain’s number one pound for pound fighter. Maybe the best in the division as well. So, a big night. It’s not going to be easy, it’s going to be tricky at times. Dalton is an outstanding talent and I’m looking forward to seeing those improvements, his stature, his major, everything since that brilliant Matias win

Image source, Getty Images

A bit of AC/DC's 'Thunderstruck' for Dalton Smith's ringwalk, of course. The defending WBC light-welterweight champion is decked out in blue and white of his beloved Sheffield Wednesday

The winner of tonight's main event may fancy a crack at WBO light-welterweight champion Shakur Stevenson.

There was big news this week as the American left Dana White's Zuffa Boxing without having a fight with the new promotional entity.

It was a huge coup to land Stevenson but now bizarre that he just departs without fighting under the Zuffa banner.

Stevenson is now a promotional free agent and that could be good news for Dalton Smith as it means a unification would be easier to make if he wins tonight.

Image source, Getty Images

Who is the bigger puncher?

The challenger and away fighter Alberto Puello is on his way to the ring...

Kal Sajad
BBC Sport boxing journalist at Utilita Arena, Sheffield

There's a pretty big prize dangling in front of Dalton Smith tonight.

Promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed discussions are taking place with Sheffield Wednesday about staging a major fight at Hillsborough.

American superstar Shakur Stevenson would be a dream opponent, while British rival Adam Azim is another possibility.

For Smith, a lifelong Wednesday supporter, headlining the stadium would be an extraordinary moment.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Alberto Puello has travelled to Sheffield with every intention of ruining those plans.

Image source, Matchroom Sport

British boxing is crying out for a new mainstream star.

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have really carried the sport in this country for a number of years when it comes to names which crossover into the wider public's interest but the heavyweight pair - who face each other in Cardiff on December 11 - are coming to the end of their careers.

Former cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew takes a look at how Dalton Smith can become a new star of British boxing in his BBC Sport column.

Kal Sajad
BBC Sport boxing journalist at Utilita Arena, Sheffield

One of my favourite things about Dalton Smith's story is the relationship with his father and trainer Grant Smith.

Grant has guided his son from the amateur ranks all the way to becoming world champion.

But their bond goes much deeper than boxing. Nearly 20 years ago, Grant survived being struck by a tram while out running and faced an extraordinary battle to recover.

Father and son even share a tattoo bearing the words "never give up on life".

They celebrated together in New York after winning the title. Imagine what it would mean to successfully defend it together here in Sheffield.

Image source, Getty Images

Richie Woodhall
Former boxing world champion on BBC Radio 5 Live

[Dalton Smith is] a very skilful boxer. I remember him at team GB. He’s a very skilful boxer indeed, and he’ll need those skills against [Puello].

Yes, he’s on home soil and needs to please the crowd, but he cannot afford to box his opponent as this kid’s quite strong.

Image source, Getty Images