Dalton Smith says he\u2019s found a \u201cweakness\u201d in the game of WBC light welterweight champion Subriel Matias that he\u2019s going to expose when they fight on November 22nd in Riyadh.<\/p>\n
The Eddie Hearn-promoted Smith (18-0, 13 KOs) isn\u2019t giving any hints about what the weakness is, but he says he studied Matias\u2019 loss against Liam Paro last year to spot them. It\u2019s pretty obvious what Dalton observed.<\/p>\n
Subriel Matias\u2019s vulnerabilities revealed<\/p>\n
Feet need to be set to punch: He can\u2019t punch on the move. Subriel struggles when his opponents run around the ring, as we saw against Paro and Alberto Puello.
\nVulnerable to roughhouse tactics: Paro shoved him and hit Matias constantly with rabbit punches. He didn\u2019t respond in kind, and the referee who worked their fight did nothing to stop these tactics by Liam. Of course, a quality referee who does his job would prevent the roughhouse stuff if that\u2019s what Dalton will be using as his path to victory.
\nDoesn\u2019t jab: Matias focuses too much on throwing power shots, and he can be nailed on the way in.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone says he\u2019s the boogeyman. When he fought [Liam] Paro, I said, \u2018Don\u2019t be surprised if Paro beats Matias.\u2019 I just found this weakness in his style, and obviously, Paro exposed him a little bit,\u201d said Dalton Smith to Ring Magazine<\/a>, talking about his fight against WBC light welterweight champion Subriel Matias on November 22nd.<\/p>\n Why Smith\u2019s claims sound deluded<\/p>\n Smith, 28, has weaknesses as well, beginning with his lack of experience against elite competition. He\u2019s been well-groomed by Matchroom promoter Hearn, fed a steady diet of C-level opposition his entire career. Dalton\u2019s last two fights against Walid Ouizza and Mathieu Germain were considered significant step-ups in class for him, yet neither were anywhere near the same talent level as Subriel.<\/p>\n Smith has a high regard for himself, saying he\u2019s a \u201cnightmare\u201d for Matias, a comment that is hard to take seriously given his weak resume. If he had actually beaten someone good, that remark would make more sense. With his best career wins coming against Quizza and Germain, all you can say is he sounds deluded.<\/p>\n Dalton\u2019s lack of proper preparation<\/p>\n If Dalton gets blown out by Matias on November 22nd, Hearn needs to view this as a lesson in matchmaking. It doesn\u2019t pay off to match a fighter against weak opposition and then throw them in with a world champion without going through a proper step-up phase to prepare them. In this case, Smith should have already fought these 140-lb contenders:<\/p>\n Jamaine Ortiz All of those fighters would likely beat Dalton Smith with ease. Hearn promotes Ernesto Mercado, and he could have easily made a fight between him and Smith by now. Why hasn\u2019t he? I think we know the answer.<\/p>\n
\nErnesto Mercado
\nLindolfo Delgado
\nOscar Duarte
\nArnold Barboza Jr.
\nSandor Martin
\nIsaac Cruz
\nKeyshawn Davis<\/p>\n