If Puerto Rico’s Subriel Matias felt put off by the temp in Brooklyn, as he went through the paces at the famed and fabled Gleason’s Gym in Dumbo, he didn’t betray it on Wednesday.
It was 45 but felt a bit more wintry with low sun and some wind.
On Saturday, Matias will put his WBC 140-pound crown up for grabs at Barclays Center against Brit Dalton Smith atop a pay-per-view card.
Smith, a Sheffield man, was asked about this faceoff being in Brooklyn, not the most natural destination, and he came off as simply ready to rumble. Sheffield was about 40 degrees yesterday, so we’re guessing the location won’t much affect the outcome of the fracas.
Dalton Smith oozing with confidence ahead of Saturday’s title fight in Brooklyn. Photo Credit: Michael Woods
Smith, age 28, did a little shadowboxing and moving about at the House that Bruce Silverglade built, coming across as humble and seemingly ready to settle things.
Makes sense, as the site for the scraps, promoted by Fresh Productions and Matchroom, was up for grabs.
President of Gleason’s Gym Bruce Silverglade and his son Joshua. Photo Credit: Michael Woods
Then, too, Matias had to answer to an adverse test in the lead-up. He said it was much ado about nothing and Smith too looked forward, saying he is simply ready to show fans and patrons that he is ready, at 18-0 (13 KOs); best win over Jose Zepeda) to complete with the 33-year-old who holds a 24-2 (22 KOs) mark.
If the tussles were placed in, say, San Juan, it would have been a sunny 80 outside for the stalking slugger. Nope; winter in NYC is the climate for the slight under-the-radar tiff. “No better place to be than in New York to win my first title,” said a confident-seeming Smith to the videography crew in the gym. “We’re here to shock the world,” he asserted, saying that bringing in tough Russians to spar will pay dividends: “Believe it or not, this is the calmest I’ve even been for a fight, don’t know why, mentally and physically it’s meant to be.” Sounds like he is feeling 100 percent three days out. He insists that he is on this level and that will be evidenced on Saturday. He grinned easily when I asked his prediction for Saturday: “And the new!”
Matias took a few queries in English. When asked what fans who have never seen him fight are expecting on Saturday, he said, “An entertaining fighter.” And a prediction for the end of the night come Saturday? “No Mas Tia,” he answered, looking grave. When? “I don’t know. But No Mas Tia.” Almost like he will punish the Brit for the temps in NYC as we tick down to fight night.”
Photo Credit: Michael Woods
My Three Cents: Smith is thinking the stars might be aligned just so, as when Sheffielder Nasseem Hamed made his way confidently in New York, and dispatched Kevin Kelley on Dec 19, 1997, at Madison Square Garden. He pointed out that there’s a new film out, focusing on Naz, who stopped “The Flushing Flash” in round four.
—Smith is rated No 7 by RING, with Matias behind champ Teofimo Lopez, among world-ranked 140-pounders, and Richardson Hitchins.
—Silverglade’s gym seems solid as ever. His son Josh has been knee deep in the business for the last half year, and his energy has given the gym sage a battery burst.
—For no good reason, I want to call Smith “Callum.” Every fourth British fighter was named Callum a few years back, but there’s no run like that for Daltons. Maybe if he delivers with extra aplomb Saturday…
Michael Woods got addicted to boxing in 1990, when Buster Douglas shocked the world with his demolition of the then-impregnable Mike Tyson. The Brooklyn-based journalist has covered the sport since for ESPN The Magazine, ESPN.com, Bad Left Hook and RING. His journalism career started with NY Newsday in 1999. Michael Woods is also an accomplished blow by blow and color man, having done work for Top Rank, DiBella Entertainment, EPIX, and for Facebook Fightnight Live, since 2017.
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