Subriel Matias vs. Dalton Smith | PPV.com - 10 January 2026

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Was supposed to start hour ago. Maybe it’s already stated and finished cus they had a face off

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Subriel Matias and Dalton Smith vow to bring out each other’s best in WBC title fight

Subriel Matias’ message was clear and direct to Dalton Smith, who sat just three chairs away while the two formally announced their head-on collision at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Matias, a two-time and reigning WBC 140lbs titlist, asked of his mandatory challenger to make sure he is at his absolute best for their January 10 title fight. Puerto Rico’s Matias, 23-2 (22 KOs) will attempt the first defense of his second title reign, while Sheffield’s Smith, 18-0 (13 KOs), will debut both on the title stage and in the U.S.

“Dalton, I want to motivate you to train hard,” Matias urged the unbeaten Brit during Monday’s press conference at the Main Atrium at Barclays. “Don’t run…you haven’t faced anyone like me before, and I will prove that to you on January 10.”

His willing and fearless challenger is happy to accommodate that request.

“This is the biggest fight of my career, and Subriel will bring out the monster that’s inside of me,” promised Smith. “The biggest thing in boxing is being at your best, and you will see me at my best on January 10.”

Matias-Smith will headline an eight-fight card. The event will air live on PPV.com, with a suggested retail price of $54.99.

The show marks the first in New York for Fresh Productions, headed by Juan Orengo, Matias’ career-long promoter. Orengo will become the first Puerto Rico-based promoter to take the lead in a major event staged in New York.

It was important for his company to claim the rights to this fight, having done so after outbidding Matchroom Boxing – Smith’s promoter – during a September 2 purse bid hearing.

“This is just the beginning of many things that we plan to do in the United States with Fresh Productions as promoters,” vowed Orengo. “New York City is ideal for this grand stage with its vibrant Puerto Rican and British communities, and we are proud to be here.”

Matias is honored to headline the show, but has already vowed to be all business as training camp has begun for what will mark his fifth career title fight. The lights-out knockout artist from the Maternillo section of Fajardo, Puerto Rico previously held the IBF 140lbs title from February 2023 until his June 2024 defeat to Liam Paro.

The loss snapped a five-fight winning streak, including a January 2022 stoppage of Petros Ananyan to avenge his lone career defeat at the time. Matias has since won three in a row, including a disputed July 12th majority decision victory over then-unbeaten Alberto Puello to take Puello’s WBC title.

Smith was in attendance for their clash at Louis Armstrong Stadium in the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park section of Queens, New York. He was summoned into the ring by event financier Turki Alalshikh, for a stare down to sell their forthcoming matchup, at the time thought to land on a Riyadh Season show.

Neither boxer invested much energy into the session, least of all Smith given that it wasn’t his moment to celebrate.

“I didn’t want to take the limelight from him during our first faceoff after he got the belt,” noted Smith. “But I’m going to be shining bright on January 10.”

Smith solidified his place as the leading WBC 140lbs contender after a 12-round, unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Mathieu Germain on April 19 in his Sheffield hometown.

The change in scenery – from a potential spot on a Riyadh Season event to a Boricua-friendly region – was not discouraging in the slightest to Smith or his team.

“That belt there, the WBC championship belt, is every fighter’s dream,” Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn noted, reminding the room of what mattered most in moving forward with the fight. “Everyone dreams of winning that green and gold belt, and Dalton Smith has worked his way up the rankings to put himself in this position as the mandatory challenger.

“I know what that belt means to Dalton Smith and to every fighter, so I want to thank Mauricio Sulaimán and the WBC for keeping their word.”

While Smith prepares for his first fight on American soil, Matias will now fight in a New York City borough for the second straight time after three consecutive headliners in Puerto Rico.

“It’s an honor to fight in Brooklyn, in front of fans who truly appreciate boxing,” stated Matias. “I know Dalton Smith is a tough rival, but I was born for these wars. On January 10, I will defend my title with the same strength and determination that brought me here.”

“Some opportunities are created, and others are gifted. Nothing has been gifted in this case. We have worked hard to be here once again, and to show everyone that we are for real.”

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Subriel Matias Tells Dalton Smith: 'Don't Run'

Dalton Smith talks like a man who’s confident in himself.

Subriel Matias, who he challenges on January 10 at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, is one of the hardest-hitting fighters in the sport. Smith (18-0, 13 KOs) has watched the WBC 140-pound champ violently take his opponents out, but come fight night, he doesn’t believe he will suffer the same fate.

Matias (23-2, 22 KOs) respects Smith’s bravado and self-belief. However, he has a feeling that deep down inside, when the going gets tough, Smith will wilt under the pressure.

“I’m gonna bring out the little girl he has inside him,” Matias said at their announcement press conference on Monday. “Remember, I’m a real champion.”

Getting his opponents to fold is Matias’ specialty. On 22 occasions, the 33-year-old champion has stopped his foes dead in their tracks. Nevertheless, Alberto Puello forced him to do more. Even though Puello made it to the final bell on July 12 at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York, Matias emerged with a close, contentious victory.

Smith, 28, has beat everyone who has been put in front of him. Thanks to his undefeated run and back-to-back wins over Walid Ouizza and Mathieu Germain, he secured himself the WBC’s No. 1 position.

As Smith continued to talk a big game during his face-to-face with Matias, all the Puerto Rican could do was smile. All he hopes is that Smith stands in the middle of the ring and bangs it out with him.

“This is real and you’re gonna see that on January 10th,” Matias continued. “Don’t run.”

[JxhDel.]

Great occasion for Dalton to shine, Matias is a wrecker but if you don't let him take the footing, it can be rendered armless.

[Taansend]

Great occasion for Dalton to shine, Matias is a wrecker but if you don't let him take the footing, it can be rendered armless.

Yeah, I was very impressed by Paro's movement when he upset him. Matias never got to set his feet.

Funnily enough I thought Puello edged the Matias fight but I thought Puello lost to Sandor Martin - who I also thought beat Teo Lopez handily.

I'm not sure if Smith has the right tools to beat Matias but, if he does fight the right fight, I hope he gets a fair deal on the scorecards.

[mickey1975]

Matias has popped.

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Subriel Matias delivered an adverse analytical finding for the performance-enhancing drug ostarine in a VADA test, sources tell The Ring's @MikeCoppinger.

Matias’ WBC junior welterweight title defense vs. Dalton Smith on Jan. 10 in New York is now in jeopardy. Matias has 10 days to request testing of his B-sample.

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Ostarine is the same banned substance Ryan Garcia tested positive for after his win over Devin Haney. The New York State Athletic Commission, the same commission with oversight of Subriel Matias-Dalton Smith, suspended Garcia for one year and overturned the win to a no contest.

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I mean..

His output was quite big against Puello

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SUBRIEL MATIAS TESTS POSITIVE FOR PED OSTARINE; FIGHT VS. DALTON SMITH IN JEOPARDY

Subriel Matias delivered an adverse analytical finding for the performance-enhancing drug Ostarine in a VADA test, sources tell The Ring.

Matias’ WBC junior welterweight title defense vs. Dalton Smith on Jan. 10 in Brooklyn, N.Y., is now in jeopardy. Matias has until Dec. 1 to request testing of his B-sample.

The 33-year-old Puerto Rican is The Ring’s No. 2 boxer at 140 pounds. Matias (23-2, 22 KOs) became a two-time junior welterweight titleholder when he scored a thrilling majority-decision victory over Alberto Puello in July in New York on the undercard of The Ring III.

If Matias is eventually stripped of his title upon investigation of the positive test result, expect the WBC to quickly order a vacant title fight between Smith and Puello, per sources.

England’s Smith (18-0, 13 KOs) is The Ring’s No. 7 junior welterweight. Puello (24-1, 10 KOs) is No. 3. The plan called for the winner of Matias-Smith to fight Puello next.

Smith was installed as a slight betting underdog vs. Matias in a virtual coin-flip fight. Matias’ lone defeat came in June 2024 vs. Liam Paro via unanimous decision in a major upset.

Ostarine is the same banned substance Ryan Garcia tested positive for following his win over Devin Haney in April 2024. The New York State Athletic Commission, the same entity with oversight of Matias-Smith, suspended Garcia for one year and overturned the victory to a no-contest.

Ostarine is a selective androgen receptor modulator that attaches to proteins in the body and effectively tells muscles to grow. It is used to aid performance by helping athletes build muscle mass and enhance their rate of fat loss and also to increase stamina and recovery ability.

It has been on the World Anti-Doping Agency's banned list since 2008. In 2022, the organization listed Ostarine as an anabolic agent.

Lucian Bute tested positive for Ostarine in 2016 following a draw with Badou Jack in their WBC super middleweight title fight. The result was changed to a DQ win for Jack.

Amir Khan was handed a two-year ban by UKAD after he tested positive for Ostarine following his sixth-round TKO loss to Kell Brook in 2022.

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If Matias is eventually stripped of his WBC title upon investigation of the positive test result, expect the organization to order a vacant title fight between Dalton Smith and Alberto Puello, sources tell The Ring’s @MikeCoppinger.

First, Matias has opportunity to have his B-sample tested. He defeated Puello for the title in July in New York.

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Subriel Matias yields adverse finding ahead of Dalton Smith clash

Subriel Matias is officially under investigation for a matter that greatly impacts his next fight.

Boxing Scene has confirmed that the WBC 140lbs titlist produced an adverse finding for the banned substance Ostarine from a drug testing sample contracted by VADA. The development comes less than two months from Matias’ mandatory title defense against England’s Dalton Smith, which is currently scheduled for January 10 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Ring Magazine was the first to report on the matter.

The subject will now appear before the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC), to determine whether Puerto Rico’s Matias is still eligible to proceed with the contest. Additionally, Matias has ten days to request the testing of his “B” sample, which will be the case, sources have informed BS. A vague update from the WBC lends to this suggestion.

“The WBC has received confirmation from VADA about an adverse finding from a test performed by WBC [140lbs] champion Subriel Matias,” WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman acknowledged in a statement released through social media. “The WBC has begun the investigation process as per the Clean Boxing Program protocol.

“I have spoken to our champion Subriel and his Promoter Mr. [Juan] Orengo, and they have expressed their absolute availability and cooperation as the process unfolds. The WBC will not make any further comments at this time.”

Among the items to review are the levels at which Matias tested positive. While Ostarine is a banned substance and classified as an anabolic agent, the threshold which showed up in Matias’ system could be met with the presiding commission.

Ironically, the same NYSAC officials were forced to rule on Ryan Garcia’s drug testing scandal for the same substance, following his 12-round bout with Devin Haney last April – also at Barclays Center. Garcia initially won a majority decision, but produced multiple positive tests for Ostarine, for which he was met with a one-year-suspension.

Should the ruling go against Matias, the WBC would then have to determine the next course of action for its junior welterweight title. The winner is already required to next face former titlist Alberto Puello, whom Matias edged via majority decision to win the title on July 12 in Queens, New York.

Ironically, Puello’s WBA 140lbs title reign ended when he tested positive for the banned substance Clomiphene. His team pleaded the case that he was prescribed the drug as a fertility boost, as he and his wife were planning to have a child. The alibi was met with sympathy, but still resulted in a six-month suspension and forfeiture of his title.

Another sidebar comes with the status of the December 6 Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz-Lamont Roach Jnr clash in San Antonio, Texas. Mexico City’s Cruz is due to defend his WBC interim 140lbs title. A ruling that would see Matias stripped of his belt could potentially lead to an upgrade in stakes for the Prime Video Pay-Per-View main event.

For now, Matias-Smith remains on course, pending further investigation.

Matias, 23-2 (22 KOs) aims to make the first defense of the WBC 140lbs. He previously held the IBF 140lbs title for more than two years, before he lost to Liam Paro last June in his P.R. homeland.

Three wins have followed – a pair of knockouts also on home soil, prior to his win over Puello.

Smith, 18-0 (13 KOs) will enter his first career title fight which doubles as his U.S. debut. The former will remain true, no matter the result of the abovementioned investigation. A change in opponents could see Smith and Matchroom Boxing reroute the fight to a more favorable – or at least neutral – location.

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WBC champ Subriel Matias tests positive for banned substance

WBC junior lightweight champion Subriel Matias' second title reign might be in jeopardy without a single title defense.

Matias (23-2, 22 KOs) tested positive for a banned substance in a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association test ahead of his title defense against Dalton Smith scheduled for Jan. 10 in Brooklyn.

Matias' positive test was for the performance-enhancing drug ostarine, a source confirmed to ESPN. Ring Magazine first reported the substance for which Matias tested positive.

"The WBC has received notification from VADA about an adverse finding from a test performed by WBC super lightweight champion Subriel Matias," WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said in a statement to ESPN. "The WBC has begun the investigation process as per the Clean Boxing Program protocol. I have spoken to our champion Subriel and his Promoter Mr Orengo, and they have expressed their absolute availability and cooperation as the process unfolds."

Matias has until Dec. 1 to request a test of his B-sample, which his team indicated he will do, saying in a statement to ESPN that it had no comment on the matter while awaiting the results of the B-sample.

Matias, 33, won the title for a second time when he defeated Alberto Puello in July.

The positive test not only puts the Jan. 10 fight in jeopardy, but Matias could also be stripped of his title should his B-sample come back positive. It is rare that the B-sample isn't consistent with the A-sample.

Ostarine is the substance Ryan Garcia tested positive for following his fight with Devin Haney in 2024. Garcia's win was overturned to a no-contest, and he was suspended for one year by the New York State Athletic Commission. The same commission is set to oversee the Matias-Smith fight.

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Dalton Smith’s world title opponent - WBC super-lightweight champion Subriel Matias - fails drugs test

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman confirms super-lightweight champion Subriel Matias has failed a drugs test ahead of his January title bout with England's Dalton Smith; Matias now has until December 1 to request a test of his B-sample; the 33-year-old won his title for a second time in July

The world title opponent of England's Dalton Smith - WBC super-lightweight champion Subriel Matias - has failed a drugs test.

Puerta Rican Matias was scheduled to fight against Sheffield's Dalton on January 10 in Brooklyn, New York.

It was revealed on Friday that Matias (23-2, 22 KOs) tested positive for a banned substance in a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association test.

"The WBC has received notification from VADA about an adverse finding from a test performed by WBC super-lightweight champion Subriel Matias," WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said.

"The WBC has begun the investigation process as per the Clean Boxing Program protocol. I have spoken to our champion Subriel and his Promoter Mr Orengo, and they have expressed their absolute availability and cooperation as the process unfolds.

"The WBC will not make any further comments at this time."

Sky Sports News has contacted Matias' co-promoter Dmitriy Salita and VADA for comment

Matias now has until Monday December 1 to request a test of his B-sample. The 33-year-old won his title for a second time in July by defeating Dominican Alberto Puello.

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The WBC has received confirmation from VADA about an adverse finding from a test performed by WBC Superlightweight champion Subriel Matias.

The WBC has begun the investigation process as per the Clean Boxing Program protocol.

I have spoken to our champion Subriel and his Promoter Mr Orengo, and they have expressed their absolute availability and cooperation as the process unfolds.

The WBC will not make any further comments at this time .

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Damn!

Didn’t realise it was Matias

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Boxing is a proper shit show at the moment, it really is.

[JxhDel.]

Well well...