Dalton Smith kept his WBC super-lightweight title in Sheffield, overcoming Alberto Puello on a split decision after a 12-round contest in which neither fighter established a decisive margin.

The scorecards — 115-113 for Smith, 116-112 for Puello and 115-113 for Smith — reflected the narrowness of a bout that swung between Smith’s sharper counters and Puello’s persistent jab and late pressure.¹ Smith, making the first defence of the belt he won in January, remained unbeaten at 20-0.²

The right-wing coverage emphasised Smith’s ability to execute a plan devised by his father and trainer, Grant Smith. Fighting with a cut and a damaged nose, the champion called the encounter a “chess match” and said Puello had made it difficult: “We knew he was going to be an awkward and world-class opponent.”¹

That account also stressed the importance of the setting. Smith said he had worked too hard to lose before his home supporters and described fulfilling a long-held ambition of walking into the Sheffield arena as world champion.¹

A live account likewise portrayed the contest as a seesaw battle, noting arguments for either boxer winning as the final rounds approached. It credited Smith with several of the harder, cleaner shots, but recorded Puello’s strong body work and late attacks as keeping the outcome in doubt until the cards were announced.²

After the decision, promoter Eddie Hearn said the fight “could have gone either way,” while praising Smith’s performances in Brooklyn and Sheffield. The report raised the prospect of a future meeting with Shakur Stevenson, though no bout was confirmed.²