Exclusive:'Get Hillsborough next' - Sheffield's Dalton Smith still fixed on dream as he goes from hunter to hunted
Sheffield boxer Dalton Smith speaks to The Yorkshire Post about life as a world champion, facing Alberto Puello and his Hillsborough dream
Dalton Smith has torn through the light-welterweight division – but Sheffield’s world champion is no longer the hunter.
In June, ‘Thunder’ will defend his WBC crown for the first time having clawed it from Subriel Matias in January.
He has ascended to the top of the mountain but a seat at such a lofty height presents its own unique challenges.
The 29-year-old has spent his entire career chasing the world title and now it is in his possession, he must ensure it is gripped tightly.
Life as the hunted
As he prepares to face Alberto Puello at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena on June 6, Smith is aware he is now the hunted rather than the hunter.
"It's probably going to feel a little bit different,” he told The Yorkshire Post. “But I know there's a big target on my back and I've got something to protect.
"If anything, it just makes me hungrier. There's people coming to take something now, so I've got more work to put in.”
Hillsborough dream
Smith went across the pond to New York to secure his belt and in another world, he would perhaps be returning to England for a fight at the home of his beloved Sheffield Wednesday.
However, there have been more pressing matters at Hillsborough amid takeover uncertainty that may well have pushed Smith down the agenda. Perhaps just as crucially, a victory over Puello could tee up bigger fish for Smith to fry in his dream venue further down the line.
"I need to get a big win here in order to get Hillsborough next,” he said. “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].
“Even being out in New York, I was surprised how many people flew over, Wednesdayites, straight after Christmas. That was humbling for me because times are hard, even harder with the football, and they're still willing to come out and support me. That meant a lot to me.
"If I can bring a big night for the fans, even headlining at the Arena, it's going to be a big night for them and Sheffield boxing. To get that one at Hillsborough, it's the cherry on the top.”
‘Hardest division in boxing’
The light-welterweight division is brimming with talent, which has only made Smith more determined to find new gears.
Puello had Smith’s belt himself as recently as last year before losing it to Matias, who then surrendered it to Smith.
“For me, it's probably the hardest division in boxing right now,” said Smith. “There's some big fights to be a part of.
"I can't be taking my eye off the ball, if anything I've got to be trying to add more to my game and pushing myself to those extra limits, which I believe I am doing. There's more for me to prove in the division as well.
“I think because he's not one of the big standout American names, people are probably not aware of his accolades.
"A two-time world champion, narrowly missing out to Subriel Matias, he's no easy test. That's what I want, that's what brings the best out of me.
"It's world level, there's no easy fights at the top, so I can't be walking in there thinking it's going to be easy.”
Support from Sheffield Wednesday
His first defence may be sheltered from the elements in the Utilita Arena rather than out in the open air of Hillsborough, but there will definitely be Owls of past and present with eyes on the fight.
After returning from America in January, one of Smith’s first ports of call was Hillsborough for Wednesday’s meeting with Portsmouth.
“They've supported me from the day I turned professional really,” he said. “Even before, I was doing bits with them, and they've always supported me and followed my journey.
"I’ve known Barry Bannan from when I was on the Great Britain team. He’s a big boxing fan. And Josh Windass, we’ve become good friends. They’re good people. To go there and get the reception I got, it meant a lot."