SHEFFIELD super-lightweight Dalton Smith currently sits as the mandatory challenger for the WBC title at 140lbs. ‘Thunder’ Smith has laid out his prediction for the upcoming bout between Alberto Puello and Subriel Matias, where that belt is on the line.
Puello, 24-0 (14 KOs), won the vacant WBA super-lightweight title when he trumped Batyr Akhmedov in a split decision win back in 2022, but the reign of the Dominican Republic southpaw did not last long.
Ahead of an attempted first defence of the title against Rolando Romero, Puello tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance and was named champion-in-recess and slapped with a six-month ban.
‘La Avispa’ made his comeback in late 2023 and overcame Gary Antuanne Russell in an upset win just six months later to claim the WBC interim super-lightweight title, which was later upgraded to the full world title following Devin Haney’s move up in weight.
Since then, Puello has made one title defence, with a third split decision win in his last four fights coming against Sandor Martin. Now, the 30-year-old takes on his arguably toughest test to date.
On Saturday, July 12, in New York, Puello is tasked with Puerto Rican knockout artist Subriel Matias, 22-2 (22 KOs), who lost his IBF super-lightweight world title to Liam Paro 12 months ago.
Matias has strung together two wins inside the distance in the time that has passed since his defeat to Paro, maintaining both his 100 per cent knockout record and recognition as the strongest puncher in the super-lightweight division.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Dalton Smith, 18-0 (13 KOs), who will expect to take on the victor upon his next outing, predicted that Puello would retain his title, before labelling himself as a ‘nightmare’ fight for either man.
“I am favouring Puello to beat Matias. I called Paro to beat Matias, and I think Puello will do the same job, but it’ll be a good fight to watch.
“But whoever wins on July 12, I have the beating of the pair of them and in doing so will realise my lifelong dream of becoming a World Champion. I think I’m a nightmare for them both.”
Smith also revealed that he would be in attendance for the New York card, where fellow Briton Hamzah Sheeraz, 21-0-1 (17 KOs), headlines in the main event in a super-middleweight debut against local fan-favourite Edgar Berlanga, 23-1 (18 KOs).
