The WBC has formally ordered The Ring’s No. 1 junior welterweight to make his first defense against his mandatory challenger, former two-time belt holder Alberto Puello.

The sanctioning body has given the fighters 30 days to come to an agreement. If they fail, a purse bid will be called.

“Serve this letter as the beginning of the free negotiations period for the mandatory fight between WBC champion Dalton Smith and mandatory challenger Alberto Puello,” WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman said in a statement. “If no agreement is reached between parties, the WBC will conduct a purse offer pursuant to the WBC Rules and Regulations on Friday, April 3, 2026.”

Smith (19-0, 14 KOs) scored a major upset on January 10, when he dropped and knocked out Subriel Matias in the fifth round to win the belt.

Puello, The Ring’s 5th-ranked 140-pounder, became the mandatory in waiting following his controversial split decision loss to Matias on July 12. Puello filed an appeal for an immediate rematch.

That appeal wasn’t granted. Instead, Puello was guaranteed the winner of Smith vs. Matias.

Smith was hoping to secure a unification bout against the likes of IBF champion Richardson Hitchins or a lucrative matchup with Ring and WBO junior welterweight belt holder Shakur Stevenson.

However, the 29-year-old from Sheffield, England, will have to deal with his mandatory first.