Dalton “Thunder” Smith (20-0, 14 KOs) retained his WBC light welterweight title with a split decision over former champion Alberto “La Avispa” Puello (25-2, 11 KOs) on Saturday at a sold-out Utilita Arena in Sheffield, England.
Two judges scored the fight 115-113 for Smith, while the third had Puello ahead 115-112. Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing promoted the event, which aired on DAZN.
The opening six rounds were closely contested, with this writer’s unofficial card even after Puello took the fifth and sixth.
Smith responded well in the seventh and eighth, edging the action as swelling appeared beneath Puello’s left eye. Puello answered with stronger work in the ninth and tenth before Smith took the 11th.
In the final round, a left hand from Puello opened a small cut on Smith’s right cheek. Smith began celebrating during the final 30 seconds, although the divided scorecards showed how close the contest had been.
Lee Every refereed.
Giorgio Visioli Edges Maxi Hughes
Unbeaten southpaw Giorgio “The Italian Job” Visioli (12-0, 6 KOs) defeated veteran Maxi “Maximus” Hughes (29-10-2, 6 KOs) by majority decision over ten rounds to win the vacant WBC International Silver lightweight title.
Two judges scored it 96-94 for Visioli, with the third returning a 95-95 draw.
Visioli’s effective jab helped him through much of the first seven rounds. Hughes opened a cut over Visioli’s left eyebrow with a right jab in the eighth, but Visioli responded and finished strongly enough to secure the decision. Kieran McCann refereed.
Shannon Ryan Stops Emma Dolan In Rematch
Shannon “Kaos” Ryan (12-1, 3 KOs) avenged her previous defeat to Emma Dolan (9-2, 1 KO) with a first-round stoppage in their scheduled ten-round super flyweight rematch.
Around 20 seconds into the fight, Ryan dropped Dolan with a right hand to the side of the face. Dolan rose, but another right followed by a left sent her down again.
Referee Howard Foster stopped the contest at 40 seconds after Dolan regained her feet.
Edward Hardy Outpoints Diego Ruiz
Edward Hardy (9-0, 3 KOs) remained unbeaten with an eight-round points victory over Diego “El Profeta” Ruiz (28-16-1, 14 KOs).
Referee Jamie Kirkpatrick scored it 79-73 for Hardy, who controlled most of the action from the second round onward.
Both fighters maintained a high work rate during an active final round, but Hardy finished with a clear points win.
Joe Hayden Defeats Will Harrison
Joe Hayden (25-0, 4 KOs) handed Will “The Thrill” Harrison (8-1-2, 0 KOs) his first professional defeat in their eight-round welterweight bout.
Referee Jamie Kirkpatrick scored it 79-72 for Hayden.
Leo Atang Scores Three Knockdowns In First-Round Stoppage
Nineteen-year-old heavyweight Leo Atang (9-0, 8 KOs) dropped Jonathan “Chicito” Vergara (9-5, 5 KOs) three times before stopping him in the opening round of their scheduled six-round contest.
A right hand dropped Vergara within the first minute. Atang scored another knockdown with a right to the side of the head with approximately 30 seconds remaining.
A third right hand sent Vergara down again in the closing seconds. Referee Jamie Kirkpatrick waved off the fight after Vergara rose, just before the bell.
Chris Mulunda Shuts Out Harley Collison
Chris “Mulla” Mulunda (5-0, 0 KOs) defeated Harley Collison (3-9-2, 0 KOs) by points over six rounds.
Referee Michael Alexander scored every round for Mulunda, returning a 60-54 verdict.
Divine Omojor Wins Professional Debut
Cruiserweight Divine Omojor (1-0, 1 KO) began his professional career with a second-round stoppage of Goran Kozul (8-13, 2 KOs).
Referee Michael Alexander stopped the scheduled four-round bout at 1:52 of the second.
David Diamante served as ring announcer.
