Dalton Smith edges Alberto Puello by split decision to retain WBC world title

Dalton Smith retained his WBC super lightweight world title after edging Alberto Puello by split decision in a gruelling 12-round contest at Sheffield's Utilita Arena.

The hometown favourite was pushed all the way by the former two-time world champion, but two of the judges scored the contest in his favour, allowing Smith to celebrate a hard-fought victory in front of a passionate home crowd.

Smith wins by split decision (115-113, 112-116, 115-113)

Smith, who claimed the belt with a stoppage victory over Subriel Matias in New York in January, had the Sheffield crowd firmly behind him at the Utilita Arena.

The atmosphere was electric, with fans singing “Hi Ho Sheffield Wednesday” as their local lad looked to cement his place among the elite at 140lbs.

Puello, the former WBC and WBA champion, made life difficult for the defending champion with his southpaw stance and sharp left hand. The Dominican found success with counters and body shots, particularly in the middle rounds, preventing Smith from building any sustained momentum.

Smith responded with powerful right hands and pressure of his own, increasingly looking to close the distance and work downstairs. His greater power was evident at times, although Puello's defence and counter-punching ensured the contest remained finely balanced.

The challenger continued to find openings in the championship rounds, making the final two stanzas particularly difficult to call.

Smith celebrated at the final bell, convinced he had done enough to retain his crown. The judges awarded him a split-decision victory, with two scoring the contest 115-113 in his favour and the third giving Puello a 116-112 verdict.

Visioli wins by majority decision (95-95, 96-94, 96-94)

In the co-main event, Giorgio Visioli secured a majority-decision victory over Maxi Hughes after 10 rounds of action, using his jab and footwork to dictate the pace of the contest.

The unbeaten British-Italian prospect gradually found his rhythm after a tentative, chess-like opening round, working behind his jab and landing accurate shots to edge ahead.

Visioli enjoyed his strongest spell in the third round, connecting with a series of sharp uppercuts and a well-timed body shot that put Hughes under pressure.

The experienced Yorkshireman refused to make things easy, finding success on the inside and responding with combinations of his own.

Hughes enjoyed a particularly strong eighth round, landing several left hands to the head and body and leaving Visioli with a gash around his left eye.

Visioli responded well in the closing stages, returning to his jab and producing a strong finish in the tenth to secure the majority-decision victory, improving his unbeaten professional record to 12-0.

Atang wins by first-round TKO

Leo Atang showcased his power by stopping Jonathan Exequiel Vergara in the dying moments of the first round.

The 19-year-old Yorkshireman made a patient start, catching Vergara with a short left hook before finding success with a right hand over the top to score the first knockdown inside the opening minute.

Atang continued stalking his Argentine opponent, with a pair of chopping rights sending Vergara to the canvas for a second time.

Further punishment resulted in a third knockdown with just 15 seconds remaining in the round, prompting the referee to wave off the contest and hand Atang an emphatic first-round TKO victory.

Ryan wins by first-round TKO

Shannon Ryan produced a stunning first-round stoppage to begin the main card, avenging her previous defeat to Emma Dolan and claiming victory in their British and Commonwealth super flyweight title rematch.

Ryan wasted no time taking the fight to her opponent, landing a series of powerful overhand rights that sent Dolan crashing to the canvas within the opening 20 seconds.

Dolan managed to get back to her feet, but she was visibly unsteady and came under immediate pressure again.

Ryan then landed further right hands to score a second knockdown, prompting the referee to step in and wave off the contest.

Divine Omojor made an immediate impression on his professional debut, knocking out Goran Kozul in the second round of their cruiserweight contest.

A superb left-hook and right-overhand combination sent Kozul crashing to the canvas, prompting Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn to praise the Geordie prospect.

“That’s the perfect professional debut… Remember the name, be a part of the journey,” Hearn said.

Elsewhere, Ed Hardy secured a points victory over Diego Alberto Ruiz (79-73) after a competitive contest in which the Argentine found success on the inside.

Chris Mulunda improved his unbeaten professional record to 5-0 with a comprehensive six-round points victory over Harley Collison (60-54), while Joe Hayden opened the card with a points win over Will Harrison (79-74), dropping his opponent inside the opening 15 seconds.