Boxing Apr 29, 2026

Dalton Smith ruled out of WBC super-lightweight title defence against Alberto Puello after suffering injury in training camp

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Dalton Smith ruled out of WBC super-lightweight title defence against Alberto Puello after suffering injury in training camp

Dalton Smith has been ruled out of his WBC super-lightweight title defence against Alberto Puello after he sustained an injury in camp.

The fight was supposed to headline on June 6 in Smith's hometown of Sheffield and mark the first defence of his title following his win over Subriel Matias in January.

Smith joined British compatriots Fabio Wardley (heavyweight), Lewis Crocker (welterweight), Jazza Dickens (super-featherweight) and Nick Ball (featherweight) as a current male world champion with the win.

However, with Smith's fight now off, Galal Yafai's WBC and WBA world flyweight unification championship challenge against Ricardo Sandoval will now headline at the Utilita Arena.

The 28-year-old maintained his unbeaten career record with an emphatic fifth‑round knockout of Matias in Brooklyn to capture the belt.

It was a right hook that dropped Puerto Rico's Matias and extended Smith's record to 19-0 as the referee called for the stoppage, despite Matias attempting to get to his feet.

He had rocked his opponent with another right hand earlier in the same round.

Smith's debut fight on American soil was in danger after Matias tested positive for a banned substance last November, but it was decided a month later that the 33-year-old was not guilty of violating the drug policy.

Matias' uppercuts and combination punches challenged Smith early on but the Brit rallied as the dethroned champion was knocked out for the first time and saw his record as a pro dip to 23-3.

Tags:

boxing news

Share this article

Related Posts

Rico Verhoeven insists he has the armoury to hurt Oleksandr Usyk again after contentious stoppage in heavyweight showdown

Rico Verhoeven insists he has the armoury to hurt Oleksandr Usyk again after contentious stoppage in heavyweight showdown

Rico Verhoeven insists he has plenty of tools in his armoury to surprise Oleksandr Usyk a second time.Verhoeven came close to taking the unified world...

Caroline Dubois to watch Stephanie Han vs Holly Holm from ringside as she eyes next opponent

Caroline Dubois to watch Stephanie Han vs Holly Holm from ringside as she eyes next opponent

Caroline Dubois will be ringside next to Jake Paul for Stephanie Han's rematch with Holly Holm this weekend and could fight the winner next, MVP chief...

Rico Verhoeven insists he has the armoury to hurt Oleksandr Usyk again after contentious stoppage in heavyweight showdown

Rico Verhoeven insists he has the armoury to hurt Oleksandr Usyk again after contentious stoppage in heavyweight showdown

Rico Verhoeven insists he has plenty of tools in his armoury to surprise Oleksandr Usyk a second time.Verhoeven came close to taking the unified world...

Cherneka Johnson faces Dina Thorslund in undisputed world title clash in Orlando on August 8,  live on Sky Sports

Cherneka Johnson faces Dina Thorslund in undisputed world title clash in Orlando on August 8, live on Sky Sports

Cherneka Johnson defends her undisputed bantamweight world titles against Dina Thorslund in Florida, live on Your Site.Australian Johnson will face De...

Chris Billam-Smith vs Ryan Rozicki: Heavyweight Olympian Ivan Dychko returns as Zuffa Boxing announce full bill

Chris Billam-Smith vs Ryan Rozicki: Heavyweight Olympian Ivan Dychko returns as Zuffa Boxing announce full bill

Zuffa Boxing have confirmed the full card for their first UK show which will be headlined by Chris Billam-Smith vs Ryan Rozicki in Bournemouth on Satu...

Cherneka Johnson faces Dina Thorslund in undisputed world title clash in Orlando on August 8,  live on Sky Sports

Cherneka Johnson faces Dina Thorslund in undisputed world title clash in Orlando on August 8, live on Sky Sports

Cherneka Johnson defends her undisputed bantamweight world titles against Dina Thorslund in Florida, live on Your Site.Australian Johnson will face De...