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.”
UNDERCARD INFO
As previously reported by BoxingScene and confirmed on Monday by Fresh Productions, the main undercard players include:
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Former IBF 118lbs titlist Emmanuel “Manny” Rodríguez, 22-2 (13 KOs)
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Current 140lbs contender Alfredo “Ojo” Santiago, 17-2 (8 KOs)
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Two-time P.R. Olympian and former title challenger Jeyvier Cintrón, 13-1 (6 KOs) vs. Mexico’s Jonathan Rodriguez in a scheduled 10-round 118lbs contest.
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Arecibo’s Néstor Bravo, 23-1 (16 KOs), who takes on Mexico’s Pedro Campa, in a 140lbs contest also scheduled for 10 rounds.
Opponents for Rodriguez and Santiago were not yet confirmed as this goes to publication.
TICKET INFO
Per Monday’s announcement, “tickets will be available starting Tuesday, November 11 at 11 a.m. AST/10 a.m. ET, exclusively through Ticketmaster.”
