Dalton Smith was accurate in his previous assessment that his career has moved on from the domestic level.

The unbeaten junior welterweight contender is now poised for a major title shot, even if not in the immediate future. Confirmation was provided by the WBC that Sheffield’s Smith (17-0, 13 KOs) is now the mandatory challenger to its 140-pound title.

“The WBC Board of Governors has voted in favor to appoint Dalton Smith as mandatory challenger in the super lightweight [junior welterweight division,” WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman declared in a ruling revealed by Matchroom Boxing, Smith’s promoter.

It’s not quite a straight shot to the top, however. Reigning titlist Alberto Puello (23-0, 10 KOs), The Ring’s No. 3 junior welterweight contender, next defends his best against Spain’s Sandor Martin (42-3, 15 KOs) on March 1 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

The same ruling revealed that the Puello-Martin winner will be afforded a voluntary defense before the mandatory title is ordered by the WBC.

A second fight in 2025 for the winner is not even a guarantee given the infrequency in ring appearances. Puello has fought just once per year since 2022. Martin did not fight at all in 2024 and has not fought more than twice in a year since 2019.

Nevertheless, Matchroom will have to find a path for Smith to remain active. The 28-year-old Brit was slowed by injuries in 2024, which resulted in just one win on the year.

It came in a fifth-round knockout of former title challenger Jose Zepeda (38-5, 29 KOs) last March 23 in his Sheffield, England. Smith claimed the WBC Silver title with the win, which helped him advance in the rankings.

A further ascension to the top came after a first-round knockout of Walid Ouizza (19-3, 8 KOs) on Jan. 25 in Nottingham.