Dalton Smith and Eddie Hearn called for a Shakur Stevenson fight after Saturday’s disputed victory over Alberto Puello, but the Sheffield champion’s performance did little to strengthen the American sales pitch.
Smith retained his WBC light welterweight title through a split decision at the Utilita Arena. Two judges scored it 115-113 for Smith, while the third had Puello ahead 116-112. The challenger appeared to do enough in the championship rounds to leave with the belt.
Speaking in Matchroom Boxing’s post-fight interview, Smith turned his attention to the WBO champion.
“A lot of respect for Shakur, he’s one hell of a fighter… this takes me back to the Ricky Hatton-Mayweather days and we can build something good.”
That comparison sets a high commercial bar. Hatton brought a huge following to his fight with Floyd Mayweather. Smith has a passionate Sheffield audience, but translating that support into substantial American pay-per-view sales would be a different task.
If Shakur is seeking a payday around the reported $15 million figure, Hearn would need funding beyond an optimistic projection of U.S. buys. There is no confirmed purse demand for this particular matchup, but that price would require a substantial financial commitment.
A Hillsborough event could generate British interest and ticket revenue. It would also offer a two-belt unification. Neither guarantees enough American demand to cover an enormous purse alongside Smith’s payment and the costs of staging the show.
Devin Haney or Gervonta Davis would offer Shakur more established American name recognition. Raymond Muratalla and Richardson Hitchins could also provide matchups with greater familiarity among U.S. boxing followers, although their commercial value would need testing.
Smith’s showing against Puello makes the promotion harder. He struggled against the challenger’s movement and accurate counters, then spent portions of the final round showboating while Puello kept working. Against another skilled southpaw in Shakur, those shortcomings would become an obvious part of the discussion.
Smith remains unbeaten at 20-0, but Saturday did more for his record than his reputation. Calling out Shakur gives him a bigger target; it does not erase the argument over whether he deserved to beat Puello.
The fight is possible at a price both sides can support. If Shakur expects a massive payday, Hearn must first establish who will fund it.