Dalton Smith will make the first defence of his WBC light-welterweight title against mandatory challenger Alberto Puello on 24 October in his home city of Sheffield. The 29-year-old Briton, unbeaten in 19 professional fights, won the belt in January with a stoppage victory over Subriel Matias in New York, and the Puello bout matters as his first genuine test as champion after an earlier scheduled date in June was scuppered by a training injury.

Smith said he is delighted the fight is back on after a frustrating layoff, adding that he followed medical advice and now feels strong and ready. The article also notes two other Matchroom Boxing announcements: Ben Whittaker faces Australia's Conor Wallace in an IBF light-heavyweight eliminator in Birmingham on 3 October, while unbeaten prospect Pat Brown meets English champion John Hedges for the British and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles in Manchester on 19 September.