An underdog on foreign soil, written off by most, against perhaps the division’s most dangerous man, Smith’s win was like something from a Hollywood script.

So Saturday night’s clash with Alberto Puello (25-1, 11 KOs), the Dominican underdog, back home in Sheffield feels like a return to business after his Brooklyn fairytale nearly 10 months ago.

An undisclosed injury to Smith forced the cancellation of their initial June date but, while the champion recovered, Puello was able to keep himself busy by stopping Miguel Angel Bolano back home in the Dominican Republic on July 18.

And now it is Puello, himself a former holder of the WBC 140-pound title, who is the one looking to upset the odds against a defending champion who is already being linked to super fights against the likes of The Ring's champion Shakur Stevenson.

Smith (19-0, 14 KOs) is adamant he is looking no further than the Sheffield showdown and the world title homecoming he has always dreamt of. But Puello, who lost his belt to Mahias via a contentious split in July last year, is now the one determined to rip up this script before it has ever really got started.

The picks are in from The Ring’s Mike Coppinger. Think you can beat him? Predict winners for prizes.

Dalton Smith: “If I didn't win a world title, I don't think I'd have ever been satisfied with my boxing career. In a way, the pressure's off. For me, I'm just getting started now. There's a lot more I want to prove to the boxing world.”

Alberto Puello: “It's a great opportunity, and it's what I've been waiting for all this time. I've worked hard to come back with my title. I feel much better now after the tune-up fight, so won't be coming into this with ring rust.”

Undefeated Smith is a clear favorite to ensure this homecoming bash passes without any unwanted drama. He is broadly available at 8/15 (-188) although some have him at 1/2 (-200). Those who fancy underdog Puello to spoil the party can look forward to odds of 13/8 (+160) with the draw very much in play at 17/1 (+1700).

Lightweight prospect Giorgio Visioli (11-0, 6 KOs), who is perhaps most famous for his beef with Floyd Mayweather prospect Curmel Moton, faces his acid test in the form of seasoned campaigner Maxi Hughes (29-9-2, 6 KOs) over 10 rounds which will tell us much more about the 23-year-old’s ceiling in this sport.

At junior bantamweight, Shannon Ryan and Emma Dolan meet for the British and Commonwealth titles in a rematch of their June 2024 clash, which the latter scraped via split decision.