Smith v Puello world title fight predictions

Image source, Mark Robinson - Matchroom SportImage caption, WBC light-welterweight champion Dalton Smith (left) has won all 19 pro fights with 14 stoppagesDalton 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.Chantelle Cameron - two-weight world champion"I think it's going to be a great fight, I think there will be a lot of close rounds, but I'm going for a majority decision win for Smith in a really tough fight."Prediction - SmithDarren Barker - former middleweight world champion"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 Carl Frampton - former two-weight world champion"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 Denzel Bentley - WBO middleweight champion"It's a good fight and I think Puello is a good fighter but I'm Team Smith. He boxes well and his style has matured. Puello has fast hands and is good in close but Smith can find a way to beat him. If he knocks him out then it's a big statement, but I'll go for a Smith win on points."Prediction - SmithBarry Jones - former super-featherweight world champion"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 - SmithViddal Riley - European cruiserweight world champion"I'm backing Dalton, he's been my guy since we were 12 years old. He was my roomate at every tournament and now is his time as WBC world champion."Prediction - SmithLee Selby - former featherweight world champion"I'm backing Dalton Smith to beat Alberto Puello and retain his world title. Smith's power, accuracy and impressive stoppage win over Subriel Matias make him a dangerous opponent. "Although Puello's experience and awkward southpaw style could make it a tough fight, I think Smith's power and work-rate will prove too much. Smith to win by unanimous decision."Prediction - SmithPaulie Malignaggi - former two-weight world champion"Puello can be awkward and disrupt rhythm as he did in wins over guys like now WBA champion Gary Antuanne Russell, but Dalton's a big light-welterweight and his boxing is on point as well as intelligent decision-making. "His stoppage win over Subriel Matias was impressive but I see Dalton winning this one on points. Puello will complicate things in some moments, but Smith wins a comfortable decision."Prediction - SmithAde Oladipo - DAZN presenter"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 is a real hero in Sheffield but Puello is very dangerous. He's a southpaw and a former two-time world champion. "It's a very tough first defence but Dalton has home advantage, the age and the unbeaten record. He probably has plans A, B, C and D. He's a very clever boxer whose background has been perfect - an excellent amateur and a solid professional." "I expect him to come through a very tough test." Prediction - Smith Zelfa Barrett - British lightweight"I think Dalton will stop him late on - round nine or 10. Dalton is just too good for Puello, he'll try to put pressure on but Dalton will just have his number."Prediction - SmithRichie Woodhall - former super-middleweight world champion"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 - SmithHarlem Eubank - British welterweight"I've got Dalton winning on points. I think it will be a competitive fight but Dalton will edge it."Prediction - SmithMore boxing from the BBC