Dalton Smith left Sheffield with his WBC light welterweight belt, but Alberto Puello had a strong case to take it home after their disputed split decision on Saturday night.
Smith received two cards 115-113 at Utilita Arena on October 24. The other judge scored it 116-112 for Puello, whose stronger work late in the fight seemed enough to earn a close victory.
Smith’s stock took a hit tonight. He retained the belt, but Puello revealed the limitations that Matias’ stoppage had concealed. Smith struggled to create sustained attack against movement and accurate counters, then showed in a final round that he should have strived to win.
The contested decision adds to this harm. Instead of leaving Sheffield with a stronger reputation, Smith left with fans questioning whether he deserved to retain his title. His record improved; his position among the best in the division did not.
Smith spent part of the 12th showboating while Puello continued to try to win the fight. It was a bad choice in a competition with so many close rounds. The challenger took over the action, while Smith behaved as if his lead was assured.
It wasn’t the finish Smith needed. Three minutes of concentrated work could have strengthened his claims to victory. Instead, he presented Puello with another argument against the verdict.
Puello had been difficult to pin down throughout the DAZN main event. His left-handed jab, movement and counters repeatedly interrupted Smith’s attempts to establish his offense. Smith landed with a right hand and was able to move forward, but the pressure didn’t always produce clean punches.
It was a tactical fight with few prolonged attacks. Both had successful periods and several rounds offered little separation. Smith’s supporters might point to his right hand and initiative; Puello’s case rested on precision, defensive work and his better finishing.
The challenger increased his activity late, landing a left hand and preventing Smith from opening up comfortably. In the championship rounds, Puello looked like a fighter doing more to settle a close fight.
Smith’s response in the final round made the outcome harder to accept. The crowd might have appreciated the showboating, but Puello was still competing for the belt. There was no obvious cushion to justify treating those final minutes as a celebration.
A close fight does not automatically make the decision indefensible. Smith had cartridges he could reasonably claim. Likewise, the hometown context should not turn forward movement into an advantage when the visitor lands the cleanest shots.
Smith was making his first defense after stopping Subriel Matias in January. Against Puello, he encountered a different kind of challenge: an experienced technician who denied him easy openings and remained effective late.
The belt remains in Sheffield. The argument over who deserved it will follow Smith into his next fight, especially if Puello doesn’t receive another opportunity.
Gn sports
