Dalton Smith studied Alberto Puello for a year and promises fans will see the best version of him to prove he is No.1

Dalton Smith vs Alberto Puello final press conference quotes

Hungry challenger Alberto Puello says he is ready for "war" as he gets set to step into a cauldron of noise this Saturday in the Steel City as Dalton Smith defends his WBC World Super Lightweight Championship in his Sheffield home for the first time – live on DAZN.

Smith celebrated his crowning glory back in January in what was one of the greatest British away days wins in modern history when he dethroned Subriel Matias – the man who prised the belt away originally from two-time World Champion Puello.

But the Dominican southpaw insists he is prepared for the electric atmosphere that awaits in his quest to reclaim the coveted Green & Gold strap.

Undefeated holder Smith, however, believes the best bring out the best in him as he vowed to add Puello's name to his resumé and march on to bigger, Unification bouts in 2027.

The pair exchanged verbal blows ahead of their highly anticipated showdown this weekend in what is a quality card in Yorkshire. Scroll down to see what was said, in full, below.

On the undercard, Lightweight prospect Giorgio Visioli bids for a statement victory against the vastly experienced local favourite Maxi Hughes. Plus Emma Dolan and Shannon Ryan collide in a brilliant rematch with the British, Commonwealth and IBF Intercontinental Titles at stake. Plus, unbeaten Heavyweight wonderkid Leo Atang steps up in his toughest test to date whilst Newcastle's Cruiserweight sensation Divine Omojor makes his professional debut.

Watch the Press Conference in the video player below And tune in to Friday's Weigh-In live from 6pm UK on Friday at Matchroom Boxing's official YouTube channel.

Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman
"Dalton Smith returns home here to Sheffield’s Utilita Arena for, what many believe, one of the toughest fights in the 140lbs division against his mandatory challenger Alberto Puello on what promises to be a brilliant night of boxing.

"This is an important night for one of our youngest, British World Champions in Dalton.

"It is a brilliant fight card. We haveyoung Cruiserweight Divine Omojor making his professional debut in a cracking line-up Before the Bell. And, of course, we have Leo Atang in one of the toughest tests of his career so far as he steps up in the Heavyweight division. We have a great schedule coming up in what is one of the busiest periods of the year – and it all gets underway this Saturday night in Sheffield.

"Also on the undercard we have a brilliant rematch for the British & Commonwealth Titles with Emma Dolan and Shannon Ryan, and then – a fight that I cannot wait for, ever since it was made, with plenty of spice in a huge step up for one of our big world talent’s and prospects in Giorgio Visioli against a man who everybody knows in local favourite, Maxi Hughes. He seems to be looking younger everytime I see him and will be rolling the dice once more in what is a huge fight."

Dalton Smith, WBC World Super Lightweight Champion

"Of course, I am aware of the challenge. There are no easy fights and this is a World Championship. I have never avoided a fight. I have always fought who I have needed to fight in front of me. And I have always come out victorious. The night in New York is a memory that will last forever but it is old news now. There is a lot more I would like to go and achieve in boxing. And on Saturday night, that is where we are going to pick back up where we left off. The best fighters bring the best out of me. That’s why on Saturday night you are going to get the best version of Dalton Smith. He [Alberto Puello] is no stranger to us. We have watched him and studied him for probably well over a year now. People say he is tricky but I like fighting southpaws. I was privileged to sit ringside and watch Matias vs Puello in what was a very close fight. But it’s also why I go into this fight feeling very confident. I have prepared for this like I am the challenger and on Saturday night I will prove to the boxing world why I am No.1. I am cool, calm, collected and I will do it again on Saturday. It’s massive and without the support that I’ve got, I wouldn’t be able to do this. I’ve got one of the best teams around and Saturday night is going to be special and the atmosphere is going to be electric."

Alberto Puello

"It was a very difficult result to accept [his defeat by Subriel Matias] but now we are here for a war. I am here to get back that title, as you said Eddie [Hearn], that was taken away from me. We come in now better prepared for the fight than we were last time against Subriel Matias and we are ready to get back what is ours. Obviously I am not going to say what I am going to do in the fight on Saturday night because that would mess up my plans completely. I say that I am a level above him because I believe that I have faced a level of opponents who are above him during my career. Of course, that is in spite of the fact that he has beaten one of the opponents who beat me. But I don’t believe that [his defeat by Matias] was a clear decision."

Giorgio Visioli

"Maxi [Hughes] was the first name they offered and I said yes straight away. It’s just self-belief. You might call it ego but it’s not ego. You’re allowed self-belief in this sport but I think some people don’t like that. If I believe in myself, then I’ll take the opportunity. I don’t know where he’s getting it from that my team don’t want this fight because we all said yes straight away. I think he’s still there and he’s done a good job on some good fighters. But I believe in myself and if I say I am going to do something, then I will do it. Ultimately, a win is a win. But for me to push on in my career then I think the stoppage is there. It’s a must do and that is what I am going to do."

Maxi Hughes

"There is still plenty of life in me for an old dog and I have to ask the question that if you’re a Matchroom fighter and you’re up here, sat opposite me, then what have you done to upset Matchroom and yourself [Eddie Hearn]? You might as well call me the Matchroom exterminator. You did it with Kid Galahad – you wanted rid of him, so you fed him to Maxi. You did it with Gary Cully, so you fed him to Maxi. I’m not sure what Giorgio has done to upset you but maybe you’ve brought me here to get rid of him. I’m feeling good and I have had a lot more than 10 days notice to prepare. Things have gone well and I’m at home here in South Yorkshire, so it’s brilliant. Being on Dalton’s card, it’s massive for Dalton, and I am proud to be a part of this massive night and big show. You have pressured him. You have done your job as a promotional company because you have hyped him up. You’ve promoted him well and you’ve done your job. It’s his turn now. You’ve gone and done your job, now it’s over to him. I don’t know if his team wanted it but I’ve heard that Giorgio was the one who said he did. There is pressure on him. I am his biggest fight. I expect nothing less. We’ll see if he’s got it in him when the bell goes, under the lights, against someone like myself because I’ve been there and done it around the world, against many different styles. I have the experience and I’ve done it the hard way, most of the time in the away corner."

Shannon Ryan, Commonwealth and IBF Intercontinental Super Flyweight Champion

"It's amazing to be back, so thank you [Matchroom Boxing] always. I need to right that wrong in order to move on and fight for the World Championship. Yes, I am No.1 [ranked by the IBF]. But for me to really feel and know that I am No.1 I simply have to right this wrong and then push on for what is next. I think what is different to the last fight is that I am very different. I am a different person. I think everyone can see that my boxing has improved tremendously since then too. I’ll be bringing the same aggression, the same chaos. But I am a better boxer. As long as I listen to my team, I believe that I can win this fight in anyway I want it to go. I can get the win by any means."

Emma Dolan, British Super Flyweight Champion

"Thank you to Matchroom for getting me on and this is a brilliant fight, especially being on Dalton [Smith’s] undercard as well. It’s amazing for British boxing. I feel really, really good, I’ve had a great camp and I’m looking forward to making it 2-0. I feel like I have improved a lot and I am definitely a better version of myself going into this fight."