It\u2019s not official that WBC light welterweight champion Subriel Matias (23-2, 22 KOs) will defend his title against #1-ranked Dalton Smith (18-0, 13 KOs) on January 10, 2026, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.<\/p>\n
Dalton Smith\u2019s Fast-Track Reality Check<\/p>\n
Compared to some of the other options available for Matias, this is a medium-level opponent. Although the 28-year-old Brit, Smith, is unbeaten, he\u2019s not faced any notable contenders at 140 during his six-year professional career.<\/p>\n
The Matchroom-promoted Dalton Smith has been rapidly moved up the rankings without facing any of the killers at light welterweight. He wasn\u2019t a great amateur before turning pro, finishing up with an average 39-11 record, which screams mediocre.\u00a0It\u2019s hard to know how well he\u2019ll respond in his first actual contest against a quality fighter in Matias.<\/p>\n
The Puerto Rico former IBF 140-lb champion Matias looked like a relentless executioner in dethroning WBC champion Alberto Puello by a 12-round majority decision earlier this year on July 12 in Queens, New York.<\/p>\n
Why Brooklyn Is the Perfect Location<\/p>\n
Cesar Seda broke the news earlier today about Matias vs. Smith happening on January 10, 2026, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The venue works better for Puerto Rican Matias, since many of his New York fans will be in attendance. So, he won\u2019t be lacking for fans to support him against the visiting fighter, Smith.<\/p>\n
Dalton\u2019s last seven wins<\/p>\n
Mathieu Germain
\nWalid Quizza
\nJose Zepeda
\nSam Maxwell
\nBilly Allington
\nKaisee Benjamin
\nSam O\u2019maison<\/p>\n
As you can see, Dalton Smith hasn\u2019t been a risk-taker with the opposition he\u2019s been facing. Whether he had any say in the type of opposition he faces is unclear. It\u2019s a red flag that Matchroom chose to match Smith so weakly for a solid six years. There was no real development going on. This was more about building a record.<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udd25\u00a1ES OFICIAL!\ud83d\udd25 \u2014 Cesar Seda (@cesarseda) October 27, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Tom Galm has covered the global boxing scene since 2014, specializing in heavyweight analysis, business trends, and fighter psychology.<\/p>\n Boxing News 24<\/a> \u00bb – An Analyst’s Perspective<\/a> \u00bb Matias vs Smith: Matchroom\u2019s Fast-Tracked Contender Gets His First Real Test Against the WBC Executioner<\/p>\n Last Updated on 10\/27\/2025 \t<\/p>\n
Subriel Mat\u00edas defender\u00e1 su t\u00edtulo ante Dalton Smith \ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7 en Brooklyn \ud83e\udd4a#MatiasVsSmith<\/a> #Boxeo<\/a> #PaQueNoTeLoCuenten<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/kyv0nlavm7<\/a><\/p>\n