Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puello press conference quotes and fight prediction

Dalton Smith (19-0, 14 KOs) will soon put his WBC super lightweight world title on the line against Alberto Puello (25-1, 11 KOs).

Their bout headlines a Matchroom Boxing card at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield, England. Fight fans around the world can catch the action live exclusively on DAZN.

Both men spoke at a press conference ahead of their Oct. 24 contest. Below is some of what they had to say.

Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puello press conference quotes

Dalton Smith

“Exactly, of course I’m aware of the challenge [posed by Puello],” said Smith. “There’s no easy fights. This is world boxing. I’ve never avoided a fight. I’ve always fought who I’ve needed to fight in front of me and I’ve always come out victorious. Like I said, the night in New York [when he won the world title], that’s old news. It’s a memory that’ll last forever, but there’s a lot more I want to achieve in boxing and Saturday night, that’s where we pick back up where we left off.”

“He’s no stranger to us. We’ve obviously studied him for, probably, well over a year now. People say [he’s] tricky. I like fighting southpaws. I’ve been privileged to sit there, ringside, and watch Puello against Matías. Very close fight, but that’s why I go into this fight very confident.”

Alberto Puello

“[The loss to Subriel Matías] was a very difficult result to accept,” said Puello through an interpreter. “But now we’re here for a war. We’re here now to get back that title that, as you say Eddie [Hearn], was taken away from me and we come in now better prepared than we were for the fight last time against Subriel Matías. I’m ready to get back what was ours.”

“So obviously I’m not going to say what I’m going to do in the fight on Saturday night because that would mess up my plans completely. I say that I’m a level above him because I believe I’ve faced opponents in my career that are superior to the opponents he’s faced. Obviously, that’s in spite of the fact that he beat one of my previous opponents who beat me, but I don’t believe that was a clear decision.”

The Big Fight Weekend verdict

Prediction by Big Fight Weekend’s Ricky Carroll: Smith times his punches brilliantly and rarely wastes anything. His jab enables him to control the distance in his fights and set up combinations and power punches. He has proven he carries power at the highest level, and has the confidence to stand and trade with a heavy-handed fighter such as Matías.

Puello is a tricky customer with a 71-inch reach and fighting out of the southpaw stance, meaning he presents a tricky puzzle for the champion to solve.

He moves his feet well and creates space effectively to throw punches from unusual angles. Puello is also an accurate puncher who will try to punch in between Smith’s punches. It’s vital Smith sets a fast tempo early on and doesn’t allow Puello to settle. If the Dominican fighter is able to settle, this could be a tough night for the Brit. Smith is the real deal, and we are backing him to show his class and beat Puello on the scorecards.

Full press conference

For the press conference in its entirety, click here or the play button below. Video courtesy of Matchroom Boxing.

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Matchroom Boxing