Dalton Smith keeps WBC title with split decision over Alberto Puello in Sheffield
Two judges scored it 115-113 for the unbeaten Sheffield champion and the third had it 116-112 for Puello, before Smith turned his attention to Shakur Stevenson.
Dalton Smith kept his WBC super-lightweight title with a split decision over Alberto Puello at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield on Saturday night.
Two judges scored the 12-round fight 115-113 for Smith and the third had it 116-112 for Puello. It was Smith's first defence of the belt, and he is now 20-0.
Smith said after the fight: "We knew what we were coming in for, he's a two-time world champion [and] look at the names he's beat. We knew it wasn't going to be a show, he was going to be an awkward opponent, but a champion has to do what he has to do."
He added: "I switched off a little bit in the early rounds, but I did what a true champion did and win the last couple, so I'm very proud."
Smith then named WBO champion Shakur Stevenson as the fight he wants next: "A lot of respect for Shakur, he's one hell of a fighter… this takes me back to the Ricky Hatton-Mayweather days and we can build something good."
Puello's only previous defeat came against Subriel Matias, the man Smith stopped in January to win the title.
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Reported by the Combat Sports UK desk. Times are UK and Irish time, and we update the report when the facts change. How we work.