# How world champion Smith can become a mainstream star

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/how-world-champion-smith-can-become-a-mainstream-star/
- Published: 2026-10-23T09:20:03+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-23T10:27:01+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Sport (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/articles/c8y56qlzqq96o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Celebrity, Entertainment, Sheffield, Sport, UK, World

## Key points

- Bellew believes Smith can become a national boxing star.
- He sees an Adam Azim fight at Hillsborough as a possible breakthrough.
- Smith must first overcome Puello and defend his title.

## Summary

Former cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew says Dalton Smith has the ability to become British boxing’s next mainstream star, but needs a defining rivalry to reach audiences beyond boxing fans. Bellew suggests a fight with Adam Azim at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough Stadium could provide that moment, while stressing Smith must first defend his WBC light-welterweight title against Alberto Puello.

Bellew calls the Saturday bout the toughest of Smith’s career, describing Puello as a southpaw with a high work rate and a strong chin. He advises Smith to avoid a slow start, focus on winning rounds rather than chasing a knockout, and stay at light-welterweight to unify the belts. Smith is unbeaten in 19 professional fights, with 14 wins by stoppage, and beat Subriel Matias in January.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.