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

[tony1234]

PPV at 42 quid for a USA time show will attract miniscule buys

[Kilburn]

That’s got to be a UK record for PPV price hasn’t it?

I’m often a sucker in these situations but I won’t be parting with 40-odd quid on Saturday night that’s for sure.

[TheLeprechaun]

No need for youtube comment pasting.

Dalton is going to be tested in this one.

[Ruthless-RKO]

SUBRIEL MATIAS PROMISES TO MAKE DALTON SMITH QUIT: 'IT WON'T GO PAST 10 ROUNDS'

Dalton Smith is a tough and proud man.

At no point has the thought of quitting ever crossed his mind. Subriel Matias can appreciate his warrior mentality. However, he doesn't believe that trend will continue when they lock horns for Matias' WBC junior welterweight world title on January 10.

"I think he's gonna quit," Matias told spam.com recently. "I don’t think it will go past 10."

Winning by any means necessary has been a consistent theme Smith (18-0, 13 KOs) has stressed when asked about the matchup during an extended build-up.

Venue and date changes — from November to January — mean The Ring's No. 7 welterweight contender will venture to Brooklyn's Barclays Center for a rare fight on the road and his first professional appearance outside Europe.

He added wins over Walid Ouizza (KO1) and Mathieu Germain (UD12) in 2025, building momentum to boost his confidence after many took note of how easily he bulldozed former title challenger Jose Zepeda the previous March.

Matias (23-2, 22 KOs) relishes a chance to break his opponent's will. Most of the time, opponents have wilted under his relentless pressure and he has the record to show for it.

Still, those knockouts haven't made him irrational.

While Matias believes he possesses more power than Smith, he's not naive enough to believe that he's the only one who can end their fight with one shot.

"I don't think this fight is gonna make it 12 rounds," Matias said. "He's got the style and power to knock me out and I can too, so it's not gonna make it the distance."

[mickey1975]

The ticket sales for this are the worst I've ever seen. Why on earth are they having it at the Barclays Centre?

[keithmoonhangover]

The ticket sales for this are the worst I've ever seen. Why on earth are they having it at the Barclays Centre?

I think it's the promoter's first US show. Crazy isn't it. They've clearly paid too much for the fight. Wonder if Matias pulls out.

[skanksta]

Who'da thought a Puerto Rican drug cheat vs a minor name Englishman would fail to see out the Barclays Centre ?!


And PPV @ US prices !?
They want a £kumar to watch @ 4 AM ffs !

Has Ruthless put up a poll thread yet..?
There's bound to be one twat paying and watching...

[Ruthless-RKO]

Has Ruthless put up a poll thread yet..?
There's bound to be one twat paying and watching...

I wasn’t gonna create a rbr for this lol

[Bigdogsnose]

I really hope that the noise around the failed drug test has badly impacted matias's prep.

Doubt it though. It generally doesnt.

Think Smith will do great in points but ultimately get splattered.

Hope i'm wrong.

[KiwiRider]

On the one hand, I was really pleased to see this is next week

on the other hand £40 pay-per-view - What madness is this? Why price it like that and ensure you’re going to get virtually no buys?

£41.95 or £42 in realspeak.
And I predict less than 5,000 buys.
I like Dalton Smith, but he isn't a PPV star, that's just nonsense.

[KiwiRider]

Who'da thought a Puerto Rican drug cheat vs a minor name Englishman would fail to see out the Barclays Centre ?!


And PPV @ US prices !?
They want a £kumar to watch @ 4 AM ffs !

Has Ruthless put up a poll thread yet..?
There's bound to be one twat paying and watching...

Aww come on man. Don't start the year off like this.
Just buy it, and savour the regret

[Evander]

Considering how close this is, it's a fight that looks to be determined minute to minute
All eyes will be on the weigh in and walk ins
Not sure we'll even know then
Smith's lower body looks strong, he could be tough to break down unless Matias scores a cut that's severe or causes panic
Matias is a good boxer in terms of pressure and spraying the punches around the target, but he's got miles on him and it's uncertain how he'll react late.
Not seen anything in Smith's boxing ability to get excited about, he's kinda one dimensional but tough and durable

[Ruthless-RKO]

Dalton Smith: British fighter targets 'statement' win over Subriel Matias to become WBC super-lightweight world champion

Dalton Smith will face Puerto Rico's Subriel Matias this weekend in Brooklyn for the WBC super-lightweight world titles; Matias tested positive for a banned substance in a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) test in November

Dalton Smith firmly believes he can overpower feared puncher Subriel Matias as he aims to become Britain’s newest world champion this weekend.

The unbeaten Sheffield fighter will challenge Puerto Rican Matias for the WBC super-lightweight title at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Matias holds a daunting fight record, featuring 22 stoppages in 23 wins with just two defeats, but Smith insists he can land the final decisive punch this weekend.

"My aim is to be WBC world champion," Smith, who has 13 stoppages on his unbeaten 18-fight record, told Sky Sports.

"I believe I can make a statement and stop Matias, but whatever happens, I'm going there to win and make sure my hand's raised at the end."

The build-up to the world title fight has been overshadowed by Matias testing positive for a banned substance in a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) test in November.

The WBC said in a statement that there were "extenuating circumstances," citing Matias' consumption of supplements known to be contaminated with Ostarine and the adverse findings reported levels of Ostarine being "relatively low and consistent with Ostarine-contaminate supplements".

But Smith has remained fully focused on achieving his ultimate aim, becoming Britain's next world champion after Fabio Wardley was given the vacated WBO heavyweight world title.

"It'd mean everything to me. I've been grafting for this since I first walked into a gym at six," he said.

"I'm doing it for my family, my team, my fans and my city."

[MightyWarrior]

Really would be a statement win, he’s a big underdog. Smith probably thinks he can overpower anyone, having beaten a carefully selected list of opponents. Confidence is great, but as far as I can remember, Matias has a very good chin. Plus a big output, big punch, great engine and the best drug programme money can buy.

Daltons gonna have to stick to a top tier game plan here. We didn’t know how good Noakes was, until we found out he’s excellent; similar with Smith here. I don’t think he’s got the punch to stop Matiel, so has he got the engine to outwork him? I doubt he has.

[mickey1975]

I would love Smith to win. A proper boxing man who has done everything the right way since being a kid. He deserves it.

[skanksta]

I would love Smith to win. A proper boxing man who has done everything the right way since being a kid. He deserves it.

True dat x2 like Smith, but head-over-heart…
Do you think he can do it - it’s shift step up…?

[maverick23]

The ticket sales for this are the worst I've ever seen. Why on earth are they having it at the Barclays Centre?

Just seen it. You’re right - I haven’t seen a show sell so badly before.

Hopefully Smith’s money is in escrow.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Dalton Smith hopes to channel countryman Ricky Hatton on Saturday

Dalton Smith grew up admiring Ricky Hatton, and on Saturday he can follow in his footsteps by becoming another in Britain’s lineage of world titleholders.

Smith will face WBC junior welterweight titleholder Subriel Matias in a 12-round title fight Saturday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Smith, 18-0 (13 KOs), of Sheffield, England, turned professional in 2019 after a standout amateur career. He venerated Hatton, a British fighting legend and now a boxing Hall of Famer, and hoped to forge a similar path as a formidable pro representing the Union Jack. Smith, 28, even fights in the same weight class in which Hatton won his first title, and hopes to channel a bit of Hatton for his first fight in the United States.

“I looked up to one of the greatest of all time – rest his soul – the legend, ’The Hitman’ Ricky Hatton,” Smith said at the press conference. “What he did, the nights he had.”

Hatton had Kosta Tszyu, and for Smith, it will be Matias, 23-2 (22 KOs), the incredible pressure fighter. Hatton’s biggest win came against the heavy-handed Tszyu, who, not unlike Matias, had a blemish on his record and entered the contest a slight favorite. Hatton, fighting in Manchester, England, delivered an iconic performance that shocked the world, as he stopped Tszyu. Though the circumstances aren’t quite the same, they are close enough to draw inspiration from. Smith is taking on a fighter who has won all but two of his fights – and taken all but one of his wins by knockout. Smith also enters as a slight underdog. The main difference: His boots won’t be on home soil for this fight.

“[Hatton] inspired us,” Smith said. “This is the start of that journey.”

Eddie Hearn, Smith’s promoter, explained the significance of Smith winning away from England.

“When you win away from home, it is even more special,” Hearn said. “If you are good enough, you win anywhere in the world – and we are good enough.”

Smith's biggest win came in March 2024, when he knocked out former title contender Jose Zepeda. Since that bout, he has fought twice. His most recent outing was a 12-round unanimous decision over Mathieu Germain in April. Smith was then named mandatory for the WBC titleholder but had to play the waiting game as Matias defeated Alberto Puello to secure the belt. A purse bid occurred in which Fresh Productions outbid Matchroom Boxing to win the purse bid in September.

Hearn spoke about Matchroom not being the lead promoter for this bout:

“It would have been nice to have done the fight in Sheffield,” he said. “But it will be even sweeter when Dalton Smith smashes him in New York on Saturday night.”

Matias, 23-2 (22 KOs), has had a turbulent couple of years. He recorded five straight stoppage wins between 2020 and 2023 – every one of them by corner stoppage – as Matias built an aura of fear around him. Ironically, he signed with Matchroom after making his first IBF title defense, but he then lost his next bout – a 12-round unanimous decision claimed by Liam Paro. Matias followed with a pair of knockouts to set up his second title reign, but after a tight majority decision over Puello, and at 33, his aura of invincibility has vanished.

Smith, for one, is unfazed. He views Saturday as an inflection point in his own story.

“I got into boxing at six years old, and the dream is to become a world champion,” Smith said. “And to do it in New York with traveling supporters.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Subriel Matias focused on Dalton Smith, not Eddie Hearn’s jeers

Subriel Matias is focused on Saturday’s opponent, Dalton Smith, and not the words of promoter Eddie Hearn, ahead of his first defense of the WBC junior welterweight title.

Matias will face Smith in a 12-round title fight at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

“Where have the Puerto Ricans gone?” Hearn said at Thursday’s fight-card press conference. “I think we will have more Brits in there on Saturday night than there will be Puerto Ricans, and I bet you we make more noise as well.”

Matias, 23-2 (22 KOs), knows Hearn well. He was promoted by Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing in 2024. The deal lasted exactly one fight. After Matias lost his IBF title to Liam Paro, he wouldn’t be featured on a Matchroom card again.

“My enemy, my opponent, is not Eddie Hearn – it is Dalton,” Matias said at the press conference via a translator. “[Hearn] can say whatever he wants, but if he were a fighter, your face would be smashed.”

Hearn quickly retorted, “Thank God I am not a fighter.”

Matias in July defeated Alberto Puello by majority decision to become a two-time junior welterweight titleholder. Matias’ promoter, Fresh Productions, headed by Juan Orengo, outbid Matchroom Boxing to win the purse bid in September and become lead promoter of the show – a shock at the time, as Matchroom Boxing has a broadcast deal with DAZN.

“We thought we were going to Puerto Rico,” Hearn said. “So we are even happier to be in New York, but we would have gone to Timbuktu. It doesn’t matter.”

Still, Hearn couldn’t resist stirring the pot and tweaking Matias’ Puerto Rican fans.

“They may have deserted Subriel,” Hearn said. “We don’t know, obviously. We have had a lot of ups and downs. On Saturday night, justice shall be served.”

Hearn clarified that “justice” would be represented by Smith winning the world title.

A win would secure Smith, 18-0 (13 KOs), his first major belt. A 28-year-old from Sheffield, England, he most recently fought Mathieu Germain in April, winning a unanimous decision at Park Community Arena in Sheffield. Smith will be fighting outside Europe for the first time but may draw a crowd from overseas.

Matias, meanwhile, was prompt in addressing his own supporters in response to Hearn’s comments.

“It is on my back to back you up,” he said. “After the fight, I will have something to say.”

And if Smith ultimately receives a better turnout at the Barclays than Matias, as Hearn suggested?

“Even if that is the case,” Matias said, “that is not going to change the result.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Dalton Smith believes he can make a statement by stopping Subriel Matias

Dalton Smith looks to win in style in his first fight in America.

As Dalton Smith heads into a WBC 140 lb title fight against Subriel Matias this weekend in Brooklyn, Smith tells Sky Sports that he believes he can outgun the Puerto Rican slugger, aiming for a stoppage win if he can manage it — although securing the win will be his top priority, above all.

“My aim is to be WBC world champion,” Smith, who has 13 stoppages on his unbeaten 18-fight record, told Sky Sports. “I believe I can make a statement and stop Matias, but whatever happens, I’m going there to win and make sure my hand’s raised at the end,” Smith said.

Smith (18-0, 13 KOs), a Sheffield native, has remained undefeated throughout his run that has mostly been on the British circuit over the years, but will be stepping up in class and fighting away from home for the first time in years in this particular outing. He’s most recently coming off of a unanimous decision win over Mathieu Germain in April 2025.

Matias (23-2, 22 KOs) once had a fearsome reputation as an overwhelming offensive force. He was bested by Liam Paro in 2024 before coming back to win three straight fights, but has since come under scrutiny for flunking a pre-fight drug test for ostarine back in November. While many might have expected that to scuttle this fight, the WBC ultimately determined the positive test to be due to a contaminated supplements and have put Matias on a one year probationary period where he’ll be subjected to ongoing drug tests at his own expense.

That, however, is probably a small price to pay in order to keep his title and payday intact, and he’ll defend the belt against Smith this Saturday night.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hendri Cedeno Fails Medical Exam, Out Of Alfredo Santiago Fight On Matias-Smith Card

The Subriel Matias-Dalton Smith undercard has been dealt a devastating blow.

The junior welterweight bout between Hendri Cedeno and Alfredo Santiago is off after Cedeno didn’t pass an unspecified medical exam that was conducted by the New York State Athletic Commission. Broadway Joel was first to report on X that Cedeno (16-0, 12 KOs) is unable to fight. The Ring later confirmed Cedeno-Santiago is off.

Puerto Rico’s Matias (23-2, 22 KOs) will defend his WBC super lightweight title against England’s Smith (18-0, 13 KOs) at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The card will be streamed on PPV.com ($54.99; 8 p.m. EST).

The 27-year-old Cedeno, of La Romana, Dominican Republic, is ranked No. 10 by the WBO at 140 pounds. The undefeated contender stopped Idalberto Umara after six rounds in his last fight on April 18.

Santiago (17-2, 8 KOs), of Moca, Dominican Republic, has won four straight fights. In his last bout, the 31-year-old contender stopped former title challenger Javier Fortuna after eight rounds on March 1.

Santiago is ranked No. 2 by the WBO at 140 pounds.

Teofimo Lopez (22-1, 13 KOs) holds The Ring and WBO titles, which he’ll defend against three-division champion Shakur Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs) in the main event of “The Ring 6” on January 31 at Madison Square Garden in New York (DAZN Pay-Per-View; $69.99; £24.99).

[Ruthless-RKO]

The current betting odds for the fight between Subriel Matias and Dalton Smith are as follows: Subriel Matias is the favorite at 7/10, while Dalton Smith is the underdog at 29/20, and a draw is priced at 18/1.

[Ruthless-RKO]

BBN asked their panel of experts to pick their winner.

Wayne Alexander, Former British, European, World champion
“This is a real fan favourite fight, which is guaranteed action from start to finish.

“Smith is very hungry and has never tasted defeat, while Matias has been beaten before, but I feel he has fought better opposition and his extra class and experience will see him win a very hard-fought, exciting contest.”

Matt Marsh, Former British champion
“I’ve only watched Subriel Matias once and he seems like a strong, aggressive boxer, but I know and trust in Dalton Smith’s abilities, so I pick him to win on points.”

Burim Sylejmani, Fides Sports Promotion
“It is an outstanding matchup. I anticipate a highly competitive and tactically intense contest, with both fighters having their moments. However, over the course of the fight, I believe Dalton Smith’s consistency and ring intelligence will allow him to secure a points victory.”

Tim Rickson, BBN Editor
“Matias is an aggressive, volume puncher, who I instantly expect to take the front foot and push Smith backwards, which the Brit will be more than comfortable with, because he’s great on the backfoot and keeping opponents at a range that suits him.

“Dalton is such a disciplined, patient, measured fighter, so neat and tidy and technically sound in everything he does. I believe that he may have a couple of early rounds backing up, not throwing too much, but I have faith in him to begin to stamp his authority from around the third onwards, once he settles in. It’s vital that he neutralises Matias and slows him down as early as possible. Whoever dictates the pace will be the one to get on top, which is an obvious statement to make, but if the fight is fast then it suits Matias, and if Smith can slow it down then it suits him.

“Matias opens up a lot, so there will be opportunities for a knockout, and he could well overwhelm Smith with his busy style and his greater experience at the top level, but I personally think Dalton will stick to the gameplan, avoid taking risks, and box sensibly at range to win on points. Bring it home, Thunder!”

Marshall Kauffman, Kings Boxing Promotion
“This is a great fight and like most fights its all about the contrasting styles that make the fight.

“I think if Smith boxes the flat-footed Matias, he can make it an easy fight, but if he stands in front of Matias, then it will be a long, or should I say, it could be a short night.

“I must go with Smith in a decision win.”

Sam Condy, Global Boxing News Editor
“For me, it all depends on whether Smith can keep his distance and box Matias, who will be looking to make it scrappy, close the distance, and overwhelm Smith.

“Smith is technically brilliant and should look to dampen Matias’s efforts early. If he can control the rhythm of the fight and keep Matias from finding his groove, he should find success in spades and will rack up rounds in quick fashion. However, that’s a big if, and equally, it just takes one bad round from Dalton for the fight to spiral out of control.

“Ultimately, I have faith in Smith and believe he will work well on the outside, leading to a hard-fought, yet well-deserved decision win.”

Donald C Stewart, BBN Writer
“This is one where you hope that Matias being caught with an adverse finding means we can all unite behind his opponent and he gets beaten by a clean athlete. But this is far too simplistic a narrative.

“Matias is a tough ask for the emerging Smith. Once through this, an Adam Azim fight should be a racing certainty, and I think that shall tip the scales in Smith’s favour. Smith is fighting for a future, but it might take all of his skill to win by points – would not be surprised, too, if it did not have another twist or turn to come before fight night.”

Florian Winter, German boxing promoter
“I expect Subriel Matias to win by late stoppage (TKO, around rounds 8–10). As the reigning WBC super-lightweight champion with 22 KOs in 23 wins, he applies constant pressure and possesses huge knockout power — I expect him to force Smith to quit through sustained pressure.

“Dalton Smith (18–0, 13 KOs) is unbeaten and confident, but lacks the same title experience and ability to handle continuous pressure. It should be an exciting fight.”

Alexander McGibbon, BBN Writer
“It’s often said that styles make fights, and I believe that the styles of both Matias and ‘Thunder’ will gel well and bring us a good, close and competitive bout.

“I do back Dalton Smith though, and I believe he’ll get a shout-out points win. However, Matias could open the fight well, and like usual, open with a big few rounds, making it difficult for the Brit. I still trust in Dalton to bring the belt home though.”

[MightyWarrior]

That’s the most underwhelming selection of fight figures for predictions I’ve ever seen, all pro Smith and I’ve only heard of one of them.


The promoter is having an absolute nightmare, with the latest pull out now. All he needs now is for Smith to pull the upset.


New Yorkers turn out for homegrown Puerto Rican fighters, unless they’re an absolute superstar like Felix Trinidad, most probably haven’t heard of Matias

[Nightmare Roy]

Hopefully Netflix takes over boxing, £40 PPV