The time has come for Dalton Smith to move forward with his first title defense.
BoxingScene has confirmed that the WBC has formally ordered a mandatory title fight between Smith as its reigning 140lbs titlist and former two-time belt holder Alberto Puello. The two sides were given 30 days to reach terms before the matter is sent to a purse bid hearing.
“Serve this letter as the beginning of the free negotiations period for the mandatory fight between WBC [140lbs] champion Dalton Smith and mandatory challenger Alberto Puello,” WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman informed both parties in a ruling obtained by BoxingScene. “If no agreement is reached between parties, the WBC will conduct a purse offer pursuant to the WBC Rules and Regulations on Friday, April 3, 2026.”
Smith, 19-0 (14 KOs), is promoted by Matchroom Boxing (the abovementioned letter was addressed to “Eddie Hearns”). Puello, 24-1 (10 KOs), is represented in this matter by TGB Promotions’ Tom Brown on behalf of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC). A native of Dominican Republic, Puelo is promoted by Belgica Pena’s Shuan Boxing.
Smith inherited the mandatory title defense following his upset, fifth-round knockout of Subriel Matias on January 10 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The unbeaten Brit entered that fight as the existing mandatory challenger.
However, Puello became the second mandatory in waiting, on the strength of his strong showing in a disputed defeat to Matias to end his title stay last July 12 in Queens, New York.
The final outcome was questionable enough that Puello’s appeal for an immediate rematch was countered with a guarantee that he will next face the January 10 winner, without exception.
Puello previously held the WBA 140lbs title.
His reign ended outside the ring when he tested positive for the banned substance clomiphene ahead of an eventually canceled May 2023 title defense versus Rolando “Rolly” Romero. Puello was stripped of the title and issued a suspension, even though he was able to prove that the substance in question was prescribed and used in an effort for he and his wife to start a family.
Puello returned to the ring later that December and earned a shot at the interim version of the WBO 140lbs title. He claimed the secondary belt with a June 2024 victory over then-unbeaten Gary Antuanne Russell. One successful defense followed – a March 2025 split decision victory over Sandor Martin – before Puello dropped a majority decision to Matias.
Smith first entered the title contender stage after a March 2024 knockout victory over veteran contender Jose Zepeda in Smith’s hometown of Sheffield, England. He added two more wins while awaiting his title shot, including a lopsided points victory over Mathieu Germain last April 19, also in Sheffield.
