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Subriel Matias vs. Dalton Smith: Who has the edge heading into their fight?
Dalton Smith made it a point during the press conference to vow “Saturday night I’ll be a world champion.”
The traveling Brit will have a chance to make good on that promise this weekend when he challenges for Subriel Matias’ WBC super lightweight world championship at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, and live on PPV.com.
The last time the boxing world got to see Matias (23-2, 22 KOs), the Puerto Rican fighter earned just enough nip-and-tuck rounds against a rugged Alberto Puello to take the majority decision and WBC 140-pound title that came with it last July. Smith confronted him right in the ring that night at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York. Smith (18-0, 13 KOs) enters the bout, having produced a unanimous decision over Mathieu Germain last April.
Will Matias overwhelm Smith in the Brit’s first ring appearance stateside? Or will Smith realize his dream by becoming the new WBC super lightweight world champion? DAZN News breaks down who has the edge entering this title bout.
Boxing Styles
Subriel Matias traditionally is a slow starter whose activity brews more as the fight goes on. However, that was not the case in a rousing performance against Dominican fighter Alberto Puello who Matias blasted with steady aggression.
Which Matias presents himself Saturday remains to be seen, though he had issues with a tactical fighting Liam Paro in a June 2024 unanimous decision loss.
That does not bode well for Matias, considering Dalton Smtih is technically sound on the front foot and back foot, capable of picking him apart with clean output in a tactical fight as well.
This category and meshing of styles is intriguing with Smtih getting the slight nod.
Edge: Smith
Power
Matias counts 22 of his 23 victories by the way of knockout, demonstrating the power he possesses in his hands.
The Puerto Rican fighter unleashing that power, especially in bursts, will be something Smith must deal with.
Smith has power, too, and it is enhanced by his timing and accuracy, perhaps most highlighted by his stoppage of Jose Zepeda in March 2024.
However, Matias has him beat in this category.
Edge: Matias
Mental Warfare
Every time Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn verbally jabbed away at Matias, the WBC super lightweight titleholder did his best to revert the spotlight back to Smith.
Whether Hearn and Smith have seeped into Matias' mind rent-free remains to be seen.
That said, this is Smith’s first fight outside of Europe and Hearn did not mince words in saying they would have liked the bout to be in Sheffield, England instead of Brooklyn, where Matias will have a large contingent of Puerto Rican fans supporting him. Smith will have a traveling pack of his own supporters egging him on to what they hope will be a world title victory.
Pressure comes with that task to deliver a technically-sound performance. That and Matias’ experience against a higher quality of opponents is greater.
The champ enters the bout with the mental warfare advantage.
Edge: Matias
Who has the edge in Matias vs. Smith?
DAZN News gives Matias the slight 2-1 edge entering this bout, though Smith has the tools to exit Brooklyn with the green and gold title in tow if he can withstand the Puerto Rican’s punch volume and fighting flow.
It is a lofty task. Can Smith pull off the victory?
Watch Kabayel vs. Knyba with a DAZN subscription
January starts with a heavyweight bang as Agit Kabayel takes the next steps towards a world title shot as he face Damian Knyba on Saturday, January 10, exclusively on DAZN Watch with a subscription, monthly and annual options available.
