Dalton Smith retains WBC title with split-decision win over Alberto Puello

Dalton Smith keeps WBC title after split-decision win over Alberto Puello

Dalton Smith retained his WBC super-lightweight title with a split-decision victory over mandatory challenger Alberto Puello at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena. Judges Jon Llona and Kieran McCann scored the 12-round bout 115-113 for Smith, while Ray Danseco had it 116-112 for Puello. Smith suffered a cut near his right eye in the 10th round after an accidental clash of heads.

Smith said he believed he won by three rounds after taking the final three, and acknowledged that he eased off in the middle rounds. His domestic rival Adam Azim told RS Boxing TV that he scored it for Puello by one round, while saying Smith got the job done. Smith also said he wants to headline a show at Hillsborough, with the Arctic Monkeys performing his ring walk, and that promoter Eddie Hearn would begin discussions after he took a break.

O’Shaquie Foster beats Emanuel Navarrete to unify three titles

O’Shaquie Foster defeated Emanuel Navarrete by unanimous decision in San Antonio, retaining his WBC super-featherweight title and adding Navarrete’s WBO and IBF belts. Fightnews reported scores of 118-108 twice and 115-111; it said Foster dropped Navarrete twice in the final round. The WBC reported the win as a unification of the division’s titles.

After the victory, Foster said his priority was to pursue the WBA title and become undisputed before pursuing a fight with Shakur Stevenson. The Ring reported his comments, which put a potential Stevenson bout behind his bid to collect the remaining belt at 130 pounds.

Lindolfo Delgado pulled from Canelo-Mbilli undercard amid travel concerns

Lindolfo Delgado has been pulled from the October 31 Canelo Alvarez-Christian Mbilli card in Riyadh, according to Lance Pugmire as reported by talkSPORT. Delgado had been scheduled to face Arthur Biyarslanov for a vacant junior-welterweight title, but had not flown to Saudi Arabia. Biyarslanov had arrived in Riyadh, BoxingScene reported, after taking an alternative route with Mbilli.

The reports cited security concerns following Houthi missile and drone strikes, including an attack on Riyadh’s airport. Some terminals had reopened, while travel advisories from US and UK authorities warned of risks in Saudi Arabia. talkSPORT also reported that DAZN commentators would work remotely from a London studio.

Dana White says he offered Shakur Stevenson a release from Zuffa Boxing

UFC CEO Dana White said he offered Shakur Stevenson his release from Zuffa Boxing and that Stevenson and his team accepted. White said the two sides had been in business for a couple of months without staging a fight and that there was no bad blood between them.

Stevenson’s departure followed speculation about a potential fight with Devin Haney, but no bout came together before the split. White said both sides agreed they were comfortable with the release.

Tyson Fury calls Daniel Dubois one of boxing’s best heavyweights

Tyson Fury said Daniel Dubois is “one of the best, if not the best” heavyweights at present, praising his progress after setbacks against Joe Joyce and Oleksandr Usyk. Seconds Out reported Fury’s remarks in a social media clip.

Dubois retained his WBO title with a second-round stoppage of Fabio Wardley, following an 11th-round stoppage win in their first fight, according to Seconds Out. Boxing News also reported trainer Billy Nelson’s claim that Martin Bakole, who plans to return early next year, would beat Dubois.

Canada wins overall team title at PanAmerican Boxing Championships

Canada topped the medal table at the PanAmerican Boxing Confederation championships in Puebla, Mexico, with 10 medals: four gold, four silver and two bronze. The United States finished second with eight medals, including four gold, while Brazil led all nations in total podium finishes with 12. The event concluded on October 24 and confirmed 56 qualification places for the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima.

Canadian Olympian Tammara Thibeault won the women’s 75kg final, and Canada’s Kiona Greene took the women’s +80kg title. The championships crowned 18 continental champions.

UFC 336 to feature Joshua Van-Manel Kape title fight

Joshua Van will defend his flyweight title against Manel Kape in the main event of UFC 336, scheduled for January 30, 2027, at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena. Carlos Prates and undefeated Michael Morales will meet for the interim welterweight title in the co-main event, Fight Sports reported.

The report said the original plan was for Prates to challenge Islam Makhachev, but Makhachev said he preferred to wait for a more deserving challenger at 170 pounds. The winner of the interim-title bout is expected to face Makhachev later in 2027.

World Boxing U19 quarter-finals produce more semifinalists

Quarter-finals continued on the ninth day of the World Boxing U19 Championships in Budva, Montenegro, with England’s Lexie Walker advancing to the women’s 60kg semifinals after beating Uzbekistan’s Sevara Mamatova. Argentina’s Edgardo Nicolas Peralta also secured a medal by defeating Spain’s Rodrigo Sanchez in the men’s 60kg quarter-finals.

The day’s other reported semifinalists included Ireland’s John Maher Donohue in the men’s 70kg and Canada’s Emilie Derasp in the women’s 75kg. In the women’s 51kg, the United States’ Ruby Lopez advanced with a 3-2 split-decision win over China’s Liu Shu.

Jahyden Britton and Ty Cassell win in Houston

Undefeated Houston boxer Jahyden Britton defended his NABA super-middleweight title with a second-round knockout of Gonzalo Andreasen at Ascension Series III on October 23, Fightnews reported. Britton improved to 11-0, with seven knockouts.

Nineteen-year-old Ty Cassell remained unbeaten with a unanimous decision over Jorge Elias Garcia in the six-round co-main event. Cassell dropped Garcia in the second round and improved to 7-0, the report said.

Floyd Mayweather names Emanuel Augustus as a tough opponent

Floyd Mayweather named Emanuel Augustus as the toughest opponent of his career in an interview with Fight Hub TV, saying Augustus’ record did not reflect his skill. Mayweather stopped Augustus in the ninth round of a non-title bout during the early part of his career.

In a separate interview with PBD Podcast, Mayweather said no opponent came close to beating him professionally. He retired with a 50-0 record after stopping Conor McGregor in 2017, Boxing News reported.

Ken Norton called Muhammad Ali the best fighter he faced

Former heavyweight champion Ken Norton named Muhammad Ali as the greatest fighter he faced in an interview on ESPN Radio. Norton said Ali’s mental approach was a major part of his ability, while adding that Ali could not unsettle him.

Norton defeated Ali by split decision in 1973, then lost their next two meetings. He was awarded the WBC heavyweight title in 1978 and lost his first defense to Larry Holmes by split decision.

Katerina Kouts and Laia Pujol set to contest vacant UBO title

Undefeated fighters Katerina Kouts of Greece and Laia Pujol of Spain are scheduled to meet for the vacant UBO female world super-flyweight title on November 14 in Peristeri, Greece. The bout will headline a show at The Core Sports Center Arena, Fightnews reported.

Kouts has a 6-0 record with two knockouts, while Pujol is 4-0 with one knockout.