Dalton Smith already has his next opponent seemingly lined up.
Smith defied the odds to score a stunning fifth round knockout of Subriel Matias to win the WBC super lightweight world title in Brooklyn on Saturday.
The 28-year-old, who claimed a maiden world title, became Britain’s fifth active world champion with victory.
‘Thunder’ has already been linked with potential unifications including against IBF champion, Richardson Hitchins.
But Smith won’t be able to pick up any more belts yet.
Alberto Puello is due an immediate shot at the belt he previously held, before he shipped it to Matias in July.
The WBC already made the ruling prior to Smith’s win over Matias and according to Ring Magazine, the governing body is expected to honour their order.
“WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has reaffirmed that Alberto Puello is mandatory challenger to new WBC junior welterweight champion Dalton Smith,” the Ring posted on X.
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has reaffirmed that Alberto Puello is mandatory challenger to new WBC junior welterweight champion Dalton Smith
Puello lost the WBC 140lbs title to Subriel Matias by a narrow decision back in July. Smith stopped Matias last week to claim the… pic.twitter.com/uRGnDetelc
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) January 14, 2026
“Puello lost the WBC 140lbs title to Subriel Matias by a narrow decision back in July.
“Smith stopped Matias last week to claim the crown.”
Matchroom Boxing CEO Frank Smith is hopeful of landing Smith a fight before Puello and has named the winner of the January 31 clash between WBO titlist, Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson as a possible unification.
The Sheffield man has long-desired a homecoming at Hillsborough Stadium – the home of his beloved Sheffield Wednesday – and Smith says he is targeting a bout for his charge at the stadium in the summer.
“You’ve got Shakur against Teofimo taking place on January 31,” Frank Smith told Sky Sports.
“A unification against the winner of that is a massive fight.
“There’s obviously the WBC mandatory at some point against Alberto Puello.
“Hopefully, we’ll get another fight before that.
“We want the biggest fights possible and he’s in that position to be involved in those big fights.
“I think summer time is most realistic.
“I’ve been speaking to the Hillsborough team around something there, whether that’s next or down the line, let’s see.
“July at Hillsborough would be perfect.”
