The trainer who masterminded the first defeat of Subriel Matias as a world champion has issued a clear warning ahead of Dalton Smith’s title challenge. Alfie Di Carlo, who guided Liam Paro to a disciplined 12-round victory over Matias in 2024, believes Smith must resist the temptation to trade if he is to dethrone the reigning WBC junior welterweight champion this Saturday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Smith is stepping into his first world title fight against a fighter widely regarded as one of the most punishing operators at 140 pounds. Matias reclaimed championship status in July with a win over Alberto Puello and now makes his first defense on home soil in New York. According to Di Carlo, Matias remains dangerous because of his relentless volume punching, hand speed, and engine, even if his technical flaws are well known.
“The guys who fight his fight get broken,” Di Carlo explained, stressing that Matias thrives when opponents abandon discipline. He pointed to Matias’ tendency to struggle against mobile, technically sound boxers who force him to reset his feet and turn constantly. Paro’s lateral movement and composure over 12 rounds, he said, remain the clearest blueprint for beating the Puerto Rican champion.
For Dalton Smith, the challenge is not only tactical but experiential. Di Carlo highlighted Smith’s relative inexperience at elite level and the difficulty of competing away from home against a seasoned champion who has been through multiple world title fights. Smith, he noted, has yet to prove how he responds under sustained pressure against top-tier opposition.
While some observers believe Matias has declined since his loss to Paro and a less dominant showing against Puello, Di Carlo disagrees. He argues that Matias’ perceived struggles are more about the style of opponent. If Smith can box cleanly, stay calm, and avoid prolonged exchanges, Di Carlo believes he has a chance. But if he falls into the trap of trying to overpower Matias, the trainer expects the champion’s pressure to tell in the later rounds.
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Image Credit: The Ring