Subriel Matias-Dalton Smith: Hearn Questions Delayed Date, WBC President Replies
Dalton Smith's impending world title shot has been pushed back until early 2026, a development that has annoyed his promoter Eddie Hearn.
News of a reported January 10 date in New York will mean the 28-year-old (18-0, 13 KOs) would not have boxed for eight-and-a-half months before travelling to enemy territory when facing a career-best challenge of two-time titleholder Subriel Matias.
Matias' promoter, Fresh Productions, won the purse bid with a $1.9m offer and expected to house the WBC 140-pound title fight on a show in his native Puerto Rico next month. Matias (23-2, 22 KOs) reclaimed world honours with a 12-round majority decision over Alberto Puello as part of Ring III in New York on July 12, before facing off with Smith in the ring.
Instead, it's been pushed a further two months back and Hearn was unhappy when asked for his thoughts on the latest development.
He told The Ring: "I was very disappointed because it was well outside the timeframe given within the purse bid, the WBC's rules. That fight had to take place by the first week in December, if it was allowed to go into January, we would've bid more money, your budget starts again from the beginning of the year - we could've done it in Sheffield in January.
"They've applied to stage it on January 10, it's at [the WBC's] their discretion but thought that was a bit harsh. We'll see if it actually goes ahead, was a big Puerto Rico homecoming and now randomly at Barclays Center apparently on Jan. 10, let's hope they can find a way to do it, if not, we're the second bidder and will do the fight instantly."
He continued, saying that Matchroom would be ready to pounce on any further delay or disruption having bid $1.71m in September.
"Watch this space, we'll see if the money is lodged and if not, Matchroom will do the fight. Dalton will fight for the WBC title in January, they didn't bid with the intention of not doing the fight but it's a big bid, if there's no deal with Matias in terms of the number, I don't see how they can financially make the event possible but who knows, it's a funny old game."
Smith won the vacant EBU European title with a first-round knockout win over Walid Ouizza on January 25, before a one-sided points win beyond Mathieu Germain three months later in Sheffield after being elevated to the WBC's mandatory challenger. That was billed as a stay-busy assignment but has inadvertently proved his last appearance of the year.
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman told The Ring that this was a 'seven-day adjustment' and there is always sanctioning body-specific criteria to determine those changes, when requested.
"It's important to note fights won on purse bid are to take place 90-120 days after the successful bid, Eddie and Matchroom know this," he said.
Jan. 10 would be a full 130 days after the September 2 purse bid, meaning Smith will now tick over before returning to training camp in early November for his first stateside matchup.
