Dalton Smith withdraws from Alberto Puello fight in Sheffield as new headliners confirmed
Dalton Smith withdraws from Alberto Puello fight in Sheffield as new headliners confirmed
The first defence of Dalton Smith’s WBC world super-lightweight title, against Alberto Puello, has been called off.
‘Thunder’ was due to defend his crown in his hometown of Sheffield on June 6 having clawed the belt from Subriel Matias in January.
However, the 29-year-old has sustained an injury that has forced him off the bill for the Utilita Arena show.
The event will still go ahead, with Galal Yafai’s WBC and WBA world flyweight unification championship challenge against Ricardo Sandoval now headlining.
There will also be Yorkshire representation on the night, with Doncaster’s Josh Padley and York’s Leo Atang set for action.
Dalton Smith withdrawal confirmed
A spokesperson for Matchroom Boxing said: “Dalton Smith has been ruled out of his scheduled WBC world super-lightweight title defence against Alberto Puello following an injury sustained during camp.
“The event on Saturday, June 6 at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena - live worldwide on DAZN - will go ahead, however, headlined by Galal Yafai’s WBC and WBA world flyweight unification championship challenge against champion, Ricardo Sandoval.
“Tickets are on sale now. Refunds, if required, are available via the original point of purchase.
“Elsewhere on the stacked undercard, Josh Padley defends his EBU European super-featherweight title against domestic rival, Aqib Fiaz.
“Undefeated teenage heavyweight sensation Leo Atang fights in his native Yorkshire, with fellow unbeaten rising stars Adam Maca and Connor Mitchell also in action. Coventry middleweight Aaron Bowen takes on Troy Coleman, plus Ibraheem Sulaimaan battles Ibrahim Nadim for the English Super-Featherweight Championship.”
Bitter blow for Dalton Smith
It is a bitter blow for Smith, who recently told The Yorkshire Post of the need for a big win to push him closer to his dream of fighting at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough Stadium.
He said: "I need to get a big win here in order to get Hillsborough next. Every fight is very important for me now.
"I can't afford to take my eye off the ball with what I want to achieve. It’d mean a lot to me [to fight at Hillsborough].