Dalton Smith has been told to expect a homecoming contest when he makes the first defence of his WBC junior-lightweight title.
The Englishman, 29, has been ordered by the sanctioning body to fight Alberto Puello, 31 and of the Dominican Republic.
Smith transformed his career when in January he so impressively stopped Puerto Rico’s Subriel Matias in five rounds at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, and his promoters Matchroom are planning to reward him by bringing Puello to his home city of Sheffield.
“We’ll probably have some news in the next couple of weeks but I wanna be back out June, July time in my hometown,” Smith told BoxingScene. “Whoever it is, it’s gonna be a big night.
“It’s a good fight for me [against Puello]. I like southpaws. We were preparing for him before Matias beat him. We’ve been studying him for the best part of a year. He’s a good fighter – but there’s no easy fights at world level.
“My team’s been in talks. Nothing’s been signed off; nothing’s agreed yet. I’ve had no news yet. We’ll probably know the next couple of weeks.
“[But] one hundred per cent, Puello will be coming to Sheffield, if it happens. If the fight’s happening he’s coming to Sheffield. I’ve had my fair share of going overseas; I’ve done my time.”
Smith was then asked if the summer date he is expecting means that he could yet fight Puello in a stadium, and he responded: “We don’t know yet. We’ll see what we can get ticked off.”
On Sunday he was rewarded for his success when he was given the Dennie Mancini Award by the British Boxing Board of Control in the latest demonstration of the extent to which his performance against Matias has led to recognition of his abilities around the world.
“Every fighter has to have that fight where they answer a lot of questions,” he said. “I always believed – I always knew it – but it’s proving it to the world and the wider boxing audience. I’ve done that now. I’m just looking forward to the rest of the year."
