Dalton Smith announced his arrival at the top table of junior welterweights in style Saturday night when he dethroned WBC king Subriel Matias at Brooklyn's Barclays Center.

At 28 years old, Smith (19-0, 14 KOs) now has the world at his feet but what are his options as he plots a path through the rest of 2026? We take a look.

As it stands, this looks like the most likely next step for Smith, whether he likes it or not. The Dominican southpaw lost the WBC title in a contested majority decision defeat to Matias in July and, after an appeal, the sanctioning body declared that Puello would face the winner of Saturday’s fight next.

Should Puello (24-1, 10 KOs) decide to press on with that plan, Smith would likely have no choice but to face his mandatory challenger next. However, this is boxing and would not be the first time a plan has changed. Could the WBC agree to a unification instead, or maybe grant the new champion the chance of a voluntary first? Time will tell.

Unsurprisingly, Smith's top target will be whoever emerges victorious from The Ring VI’s main event between WBO 140-pound champ Teofimo Lopez and divisional newcomer Shakur Stevenson later this month.

It is obvious that whoever wins in Manhattan, particularly if they produce an emphatic victory, will be considered not only the No. 1 at the weight but also the biggest money fight in the division. Whether they would opt to unify with Smith this summer is another matter but it would likely be his dream next fight.

With WBA champion Gary Antuane Russell set to face his mandatory challenger Andy Hiraoka early this year, current IBF king Richardson Hitchins represents Smith's only other chance at an immediate unification.

As reported by The Ring, the 28-year-old New Yorker seems to be on a collision course with Oscar Duarte after the IBF allowed him another fight before he has to defend against mandatory challenger Lindolfo Delgado. Eddie Hearn, who promotes both men, has already talked up the possibility of Smith facing Hitchins but, as it stands, this looks like one for further down the line should they both keep their belts.

No list about Dalton Smith would be complete without mentioning his domestic rival Adam Azim. The puncher from Slough has business to attend to in Gustavo Lemos on January 31 but a statement victory would only crank up the clamour for Smith-Azim once again.

Shane McGuigan, Azim's trainer, has suggested that the pair should wait until they are both world champions before fighting each other but a big enough financial offer would undoubtedly secure this fight in the summer.

A bit of a wild card here but this Yorkshire derby might just be the most likely domestic clash on the list for Smith. Of course this would be reliant on the WBC granting Smith a defence and what better way than a homecoming show with Rossington southpaw Hughes employed as dance partner.

Only an hour on the M1 separates the pair and a fight would no doubt do good business at any arena in Yorkshire. It has been discussed before without ever materialising but 35-year-old Maximus might just be the perfect opponent for Smith's next step.