Smith v Puello world title fight predictions

Dalton Smith will make the first defence of his WBC light-welterweight title on home soil when he faces former champion Alberto Puello in Sheffield on Saturday.

Unbeaten Smith, 29, returns to the ring for the first time since becoming world champion with a stunning knockout of Subriel Matias in New York in January.

Dominican Republic fighter Puello, 32, is aiming to become a three-time world champion, having lost his WBC belt to Matias on points last year.

Smith will have the backing of his home crowd at the Utilita Arena. Can he keep his dream of fighting at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough stadium alive with another win?

Or will the tricky and experienced southpaw Puello, who has lost just once in 26 professional fights, ruin the homecoming?

BBC Sport spoke to figures from across the boxing world to get their predictions on who will come out on top.

"What a brilliant fight this is. It's such a terrific match-up with contrasting styles. You have a slick southpaw in Puello and the tough, rugged, well-schooled Smith. Puello being a southpaw will suit Dalton who throws a fantastic right hand.

"This is fine margins - high-level chess. I think Dalton will come through via decision, or perhaps a late stoppage, and he will have produced two back-to-back victories to cement his place in the top 15 pound-for-pound rankings."

Prediction - Smith

"I think this will be an interesting fight. Both guys have a similar sort of style. Puello is a boxer-puncher who goes really well to the body. He throws that loopy left hand shot quite well that Dalton will have to be quite careful of.

"It will be cagey at the start and I think Puello will fall behind a little bit. Dalton is a better boxer than him and better at his game. Puello will then have to come forward and I think that will suit Dalton.

"So I see Dalton winning quite a wide points decision."

Prediction - Smith

"This is a harder fight for Smith than Matias. Matias was a monster, while Puello is a clever boxer who sits on the back foot and punches nice and long. He's southpaw which makes it awkward to adjust your feet and stance.

"Ultimately, I think the angles of attack will be the difference for Smith. I think it might be a bit of a frustrating night for him but I think he comes out on top on points.

"It will be relatively entertaining - not as exciting as the win over Matias, perhaps - but a good homecoming for the champion."

Prediction - Smith

"It's a big fight. I think the Utilita Arena - pound-for-pound - is the noisiest venue in the country. To use a football analogy, I think it will have to be a 12th man for Dalton.

"I think he's up against it. Puello is a very special talent, as is Dalton who put on a performance of a lifetime in January.

"Dalton has a lot of the advantages but Puello comes here with experience at the highest level at this division. He wants the belt back, which he thinks was robbed from him in his loss to Matias.

"I do edge towards the current champion because of home advantage, but I wouldn't be shocked if Puello walks away with the belt."

Prediction - Smith

"Dalton will have a little bit too much speed and a little bit too much flair. The one thing that Dalton has to watch out for is he cannot afford to slow it down to Puello's pace. He's decent with his jab, he likes his opponent to stand in front, he doesn't like it when they move.

"If Dalton is in and out with his feet, plays it tricky, he'll be able to beat him fairly comfortably as long as he doesn't stand and trade."

Prediction - Smith