Dalton Smith will not be able to defend his WBC super-lightweight crown against Alberto Puello after an injury sustained during his training camp forced him out of the bout. The match, which had been slated to headline a June 6 event in Smith's native Sheffield, was intended to be his first defense of the belt he captured from Subriel Matias in January. Smith's withdrawal has reshaped the fight card, elevating Galal Yafai's unification showdown with Ricardo Sandoval for the WBC and WBA flyweight titles to the main event at the Utilita Arena.
The 28‑year‑old Briton entered the ring in Brooklyn in January and secured a dramatic fifth‑round knockout over Matias, a Puerto Rican contender, to claim the super‑lightweight championship. The decisive blow came as a powerful right hook that sent Matias to the canvas, prompting the referee to intervene even though the challenger attempted to rise. Earlier in the same round, Smith had already landed a crisp right hand that stunned Matias, setting the stage for the final finish.
The victory lifted Smith’s professional record to an unbeaten 19‑0 and placed him alongside fellow British world champions Fabio Wardley (heavyweight), Lewis Crocker (welterweight), Jazza Dickens (super‑featherweight) and Nick Ball (featherweight). Unfortunately, the momentum was halted when Smith suffered an injury while preparing for the June 6 fight. The nature of the injury has not been disclosed in detail, but it was severe enough to compel his camp to pull him from the card. As a result, promoters have reshuffled the evening’s lineup, moving Yafai’s flyweight unification bout to the headline slot.
Yafai, who holds both the WBC and WBA titles in the division, will now face Ricardo Sandoval in what promises to be a high‑stakes clash for the undisputed flyweight crown. Smith’s absence is a setback not only for him but also for the Sheffield boxing community, which was eager to see a hometown hero defend his title on home soil. The original plan would have given local fans a chance to witness a world‑class showdown between two rising stars in the super‑lightweight ranks. Alberto Puello, a seasoned contender from the Dominican Republic, will now either be matched with a replacement opponent or have his fight postponed, pending further announcements from the sanctioning bodies.
The injury comes after a turbulent period for Smith’s opponent in the previous fight. Subriel Matias had faced a provisional suspension in November after testing positive for a prohibited substance. After a thorough investigation, the anti‑doping panel cleared the 33‑year‑old boxer of any wrongdoing, concluding that there was no violation of the sport’s drug policy. This controversy added an extra layer of intrigue to the January bout, but Smith’s performance left no doubt about his dominance.
He weathered an early storm of uppercuts and combination punches from Matias, demonstrating poise and resilience that belied his relative inexperience at the elite level. Matias, who entered the fight with a professional record of 23‑3, was knocked out for the first time in his career by Smith’s precise power shots.
The loss not only cost him the title but also marked a turning point in his own career trajectory. Meanwhile, Smith’s flawless record continued to grow, reinforcing his reputation as one of Britain’s most promising boxing talents. Beyond the immediate ramifications for the June 6 event, Smith’s injury raises questions about the scheduling of future defenses. The WBC will need to determine a new date for Smith’s mandatory challenger, and the champion’s camp will have to manage his recovery while keeping him active in the division.
Boxing fans can expect updates from Sky Sports and other outlets as the situation develops. For those following the sport, several resources remain available.
Sky Sports continues to provide live streams, highlights, and in‑depth analysis through its NOW platform, offering contract‑free boxing coverage. The weekly Toe2Toe podcast delivers expert commentary and interviews with fighters, while the Sky Sports WhatsApp channel supplies the latest news, videos, and feature stories directly to subscribers. In summary, Dalton Smith’s forced withdrawal due to injury has reshaped the upcoming Sheffield card, elevating Galal Yafai’s flyweight unification fight to the main event and leaving the super‑lightweight division in a state of uncertainty.
Smith’s impressive rise, highlighted by his knockout victory over Subriel Matias and his inclusion among Britain’s elite world champions, remains a compelling narrative for the sport. Fans will be watching closely for updates on his recovery, the rescheduling of his title defense, and how the broader boxing calendar adjusts to accommodate these changes.