Dalton Smith retains WBC title with split decision over Alberto Puello

Dalton Smith retained his WBC light-welterweight world title by defeating Alberto Puello on a split decision at Sheffield's Utilita Arena on Saturday. According to BBC Sport's ringside report, two judges scored the fight 115-113 for the British champion, while the third gave Puello a 116-112 advantage. The result brought Smith's professional record to 20 wins without defeat.

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The 29-year-old was making the first defence of the belt he won by stopping Subriel Matias in the fifth round in Brooklyn in January. Puello, a two-time world champion from the Dominican Republic, was his mandatory challenger. Their meeting had initially been scheduled for June, but an elbow injury forced Smith to withdraw from that date before the contest eventually took place in his home city.

Puello presented a different problem from Matias. Rather than the exchanges Smith had used to beat the powerful puncher in January, this contest demanded patience against a mobile southpaw. BBC Sport described a cautious opening in which both boxers defended well and avoided committing too heavily. Smith controlled the early tempo, although the fourth round featured successful attacks from both men as Puello began finding openings with his left hand.

The challenger had a stronger sixth round, connecting with several straight lefts. He also went to the canvas after slipping, rather than being knocked down. The technical exchanges continued into the ninth: Smith put together two jabs and a right hook, and Puello replied with an uppercut and a body shot. Neither fighter had settled the outcome before the closing rounds.

Smith boxed through a cut beneath his right eye as the two continued trading late in the contest. BBC Sport's account suggested his greater activity may have given him the edge in those exchanges. He gestured to the home supporters during the final 20 seconds and embraced his father after the bell, but still had to await three scorecards that reflected the close nature of the bout.

The victory adds a successful world-title defence to Smith's previous British, Commonwealth and European honours. It also preserves his ambition to headline at Hillsborough, the home of Sheffield Wednesday. For now, the confirmed achievement is another win and the retention of his championship after a demanding test against Puello.