He refused to get carried away with the prospect of walking out at Hillsborough, but Matchroom chief executive Frank Smith believes the dream could soon become reality.
“He’s not looking past this. It’s a proper fight,” he said. “But after this unification fights are there and the big night in Hillsborough is there.”
Puello, 32, held the WBA title from 2022 to 2023 before becoming WBC champion in 2024. He lost that belt to Matias in July 2025, the only defeat on his 26-fight professional record.
“He wants to do to me what I did to Matias but believe me, that’s not going to happen,” Smith said. “Me fighting in my home town with the support behind me as a world champion, it gives me that extra fire.”
Speaking through a translator, the confident Dominican made it clear he intends to spoil Smith’s homecoming.
“I don’t see many weaknesses in him but it will be hugely satisfying to come here to his hometown to rip his belt,” he said.
“It will be really satisfying for me and a humiliation for him.”
An otherwise low-key media-only event ended with the two fighters shaking hands.
