NEW YORK, NY — Subriel Matias made a point about defending the WBC super lightweight title in New York City and his mandatory opponent Dalton Smith accepted the invitation. Though, Smith (18-0, 13 KOs) from Sheffield, England is aware the champion will also have home field advantage,
They will meet January 10 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, in the main event of an eight bout card that will be televised live on PPV.com and presented by Fresh Productions. So why the advantage for (23-2-22 KOs) Matias? Consider the Fajardo, Puerto Rico resident won’t be without that home town cooking. New York has always been a successful town for champions and contenders hailing from Puerto Rico.
Tickets for Subriel Matias vs. Dalton Smith at the Barclays Center on Saturday, January 10th, were released to the public on Tuesday, November 11th – Image Credit: Barclays Center
Need to name a few Hall of Famers who have lived off the New York success with title defenses in Brooklyn or at “The Mecca” Madison Square Garden. Félix Trinidad won multiple world championships in three weight classes.
Miguel Cotto, the only four-division champion from Puerto Rico who sold out The Garden numerous times, still holds a gross record at the gate. Current WBO super welterweight champion Xander Zayas just months ago defeated Jorge Garcia at MSG. At 22-years old, he became youngest boxing champion in the sport.
Xander Zayas became the youngest champion in boxing back in July by defeating Jorge Garcia for the WBO super welterweight belt – Image Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank Boxing
So there is a history of success for a champion from Puerto Rico. New York City is no stranger to the fighter or their many fans who will continue to support their champions. That was a topic for Matias and Smith Monday afternoon at Barclays as they faced off for the first time.
Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, promoter of Smith, was also an advocate of bringing this fight to New York, preferring of course to keep his champion home. Then again a champion from Puerto Rico defending his title at Barclays will have that atmosphere of fighting at home. Regardless, as Hearn said there will be lack of intimidation with his fighter.
Eddie Hearn and Dalton Smith together during Monday’s press conference at the Barclays Center – Image Credit: Matchroom Boxing
Hearn said when asked, “Puerto Rican people even when you lose, you will be happy. Smith got into mandatory position and in New York. Smith is the future of the 140-pound division.”
He praised WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman, thanking how the sanctioning organization has elevated Smith to this point. They were able to secure New York City, an obvious preference of the champion and Hearn. The fight will have some interest in a hotly contested division that also has champions Teofimo Lopez (WBO) and Richardson Hitchins (IBF).
For Smith, it’s winning a title away from home. Matias, with the power to end a fight early, it’s about retaining his title in what is expected to be a hometown crowd. A fight that can be entertaining and early highlight in the new year.
“This is what dreams are made of,” said Smith, “January 10, achieving a childhood dream. I feel no pressure since six-years-old. I’ve worked hard 100 percent to boxing from a young age. He (Matias) will bring the monster in me. Going to be entertaining. I don’t run, toe-to-toe.”
They expect a lot of noise, that’s expected with fans of both sides from different cultures. This won’t be the usual Puerto Rico-Mexico encounter which has an illustrious history. No different though, wearing gloves and throwing in what is expected to be a slugfest.
Added Hearn about Smith and traveling distance to gain a title, “boxing is huge in the UK. Big shows every week. To be a huge great, you have to travel and win. He would have gone anywhere for this fight.”
But the fight landed in Brooklyn and you heard no complaints. Compliments all around, respect from the champion and challenger. Prior to gaining his championship, Matias rebounded after losing the IBF 140-pound title to Liam Paro in June of 2024.
Since losing to Liam Paro in June of 2024, Subriel Matias has gone on to win his last three consecutive bouts with two of them coming in 2025 and the other in November of 2024 – Image Credit: Ring Magazine
“I am very grateful opportunities are given,” said Matias, who had minimal issues speaking English and reiterated his comments in Spanish. “Defeats make a true warrior you get knocked down and come back… It prepares you for the next challenge. I’m the world champion.”
“I consider myself the reality, the real deal. After the fight, ask him what he thinks. No round, no prediction.”
WE HAVE A FIGHT: After months of talk and speculation the mega-fight reportedly between champions Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson will be contested January 31 in New York City at Madison Square Garden.
The two young superstars, Lopez, the WBO champion and Stevenson of Newark, NJ, the WBC light welterweight holder of the title. An official announcement is expected this week.
THROWING THE PUNCHES: What’s next for WBC Interim Super Welterweight champion Vergil Ortiz Jr. (24-0, 22 KOs)? Ortiz, a proud Mexican-American, was all smiles with Golden Boy promoter and Hall of Famer Oscar De La Hoya after he took out Erickson Lubin (27-3, 18 KOs) under two rounds Saturday evening in Fort Worth, Texas.
Jaron Ennis and Vergil Ortiz Jr. met face to face after Ortiz’s win over Erickson Lubin in Fort Worth, Texas – Image Credit: Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy via Getty Images
Immediate talk is getting the contracts in order, Ortiz opposing Jaron “Boots” Ennis, a former 147-pound champ and interim title holder in what would be another mega-fight in the new year. Ennis is under the promotional banner of Matchroom Boxing and Hearn.
Zayas defends his WBO title versus WBA champion Abass Baraou in a title unification Saturday, January 31, at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan. “On January 31, we’ll fulfill another dream this time I’ll be fighting on my island.”
Rich Mancuso is a senior writer and columnist at LatinoSports.com – X: @Ring786, Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
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