Dalton Smith insists that he is more than ready for his upcoming world title opportunity, no matter who it comes against.

The 28 year-old junior welterweight from Sheffied has enjoyed a busy start to the year. In January he ruthlessly despatched the overmatched Walid Ouizza inside a round to win the European title. Twelve weeks later, Smith (18-0, 13 KOs) was back in the ring and was given a useful twelve round workout by the stubborn Mathieu Germain.

Now secure in his position as the mandatory challenger for the WBC super lightweight title and ranked at No. 9 by The Ring, Smith isn’t planning on squeezing in another keep busy fight before his big moment arrives.

On July 12 in New York, WBC champion, Alberto Puello (24-0, 10 KOs), makes a voluntary defence of the title he won by outpointing Sandor Martin earlier this year. The Dominican will fight the dangerous Puerto Rican, Subriel Matias (22-2, 22 KOs) on The Ring's third boxing show.

During an appearance on Sky Sports’ Toe-2-Toe podcast, Smith revealed that he is content to sit back and watch what happens.

“Yeah, that’s obviously the way I see forward. I'm in a mandatory position at the minute. Puello had a voluntary first, got the Matias fight. So, yeah, bring on the winner,” Smith said.

“As long as I stay in the gym, when the opportunity comes and we can get a fight date, I'd be happy with that. Of course, activity is key, but I just feel that with the way I'm performing and being in the best position at the minute, I'm able to hold off for a little bit.”

The fight between the lanky southpaw, Puello - ranked at No. 2 by The Ring - and the aggressive, hard hitting Matias - who sits at No. 6 - looks like being a true clash of styles and whoever wins will provide Smith with a serious test of his credentials.

Ouizza and Germain are both orthodox fighters and neither pose anywhere near the threat of Matias but whilst facing them did little to help Smith prepare tactically for his world title opportunity, they did give him the chance to get back to back training camps under his belt.

Smith has suffered with injury and inactivity throughout his career and can now sit and wait for Puello and Matias to settle their business, safe in the knowledge that his tools are sharp and body is healthy. On the morning of July 13, Smith will know exactly who he is going to fight and can then begin to put concrete plans in place and prepare accordingly.

He believes that Puello will find a way to hold onto his title.

“I think it's a high possibility,” he said.

“I think he's got the style. I think he can make it a messy fight, a little bit like Sandor Martin. I think he’s very good at just doing enough, having the last say in exchanges.

“Stylistically-wise, look, Matias was his voluntary, he picked to fight him. He didn't get forced. I just think he knows that's the style he can beat and, obviously, that's the reason why he took it.”