In an electrifying turn of events, Dalton Smith delivered a jaw-dropping fifth-round knockout against Subriel Matias to clinch the WBC junior welterweight championship, creating a memorable moment at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Smith, hailing from Sheffield, United Kingdom, entered the ring with a perfect record of 19 wins and 14 knockouts, but faced a challenging opponent in Matias, who was known for his powerful punches. Initially, it seemed like Smith was making a questionable tactical choice by engaging in close combat with the dangerous Matias after the first round. While Matias thrived in this intense exchange, Smith stood firm, absorbing the punishment and waiting for the right moment. Just as it appeared that Matias was gaining the upper hand, Smith surprised everyone by landing two powerful right hands in the fifth round, the first of which staggered Matias significantly and the second of which sent him crashing to the canvas. Although Matias managed to get back on his feet, he was clearly in distress when the referee made the decisive call to halt the fight with under a minute remaining in the round.
"This is the first time I've ever been the underdog and the first time I faced off against a formidable opponent," Smith remarked after the fight. "I tuned out all the distractions. Tonight was truly my night."
Interestingly, this bout almost didn’t happen. Just last November, Matias had a positive test result for a banned substance during a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association screening. However, the World Boxing Council (WBC) conducted an investigation and concluded in December that Matias had not violated the drug policy, allowing the fight to proceed. For Smith, this was a blessing in disguise, as he managed to pull off a stunning upset in what turned out to be an action-packed fight from the outset.
Matias, with a record of 23 wins and 22 knockouts, came into the match with confidence, pushing forward relentlessly and trying to leverage his significant power against Smith. Initially, Smith attempted to maintain distance and box strategically, but by Round 3, he found himself drawn into a slugfest. The exchanges were fierce, with Matias landing uppercuts and combinations that seemed to catch Smith off guard. Yet, Smith’s resilience shone through; he retaliated with fierce combinations of his own, despite Matias’ reputation of having never been knocked out before.
As the fight progressed, Matias’ bravado proved to be his downfall. In the fifth round, Smith took a step back and unleashed a devastating right hand that connected perfectly with Matias' chin. Matias, seemingly inviting Smith to engage further, was met with another swift right hand that dropped him to the floor. This moment solidified Smith's path to becoming a world champion.
"He bested Matias at his own game," praised Smith's promoter, Eddie Hearn. "Matias had never experienced being knocked down or hurt, and now Dalton Smith has established himself as a rising star in the 140-pound category. The future looks incredibly bright."
Previously, Matias had won the WBC junior welterweight title by defeating Alberto Puello with a majority decision in July and had earned a reputation as a fearsome contender within the division. However, Smith's victory sends a clear message: he will not let one of the hardest hitters in the sport deter him from achieving his aspirations.
"I'm ready for whatever challenges lie ahead," Smith declared confidently. "I consider myself among the best, if not the very best in this division. I'm eager to face anyone who steps up to the plate."
