Oct 24, 2026, 05:52 PM ET

Sheffield's Dalton Smith retained his WBC light-welterweight title after winning a thrilling contest against the Dominican Republic's Alberto Puello at the Utilita Arena on a split decision.

Smith's camp, including his father and trainer Grant Smith, clearly felt he had done enough to edge it at the end of the 12th round, but the judges scorecards reflected how close it was.

Spain's Jon Llona and England's Kieran McCann both scored it 115-113 to Smith, while Filipino judge Ray Danseco had it 116-112 to mandatory challenger Puello.

The pace was unrelenting from first bell to last in a see-saw battle as both fighters exchanged punishing combinations and while Smith was cut above the right eye in the 10th round, neither fighter was able to take control.

Smith has now beaten the world's best two light-welterweights -- he won the title by stopping Puerto Rica's Subriel Matias in January in New York -- and promoter Eddie Hearn is hoping to stage the Sheffield Wednesday fan's next fight at Hillsborough.