After months of delays and shifting dates, the long-discussed showdown between Subriel Matias and Dalton Smith is finally taking shape. The WBC super-lightweight title fight is now expected to take place on January 10 at the Barclays Center in New York, according to reports.
Originally promised for November 22 by Turki Alalshikh, the matchup between Matias, 23-2 (22 KOs), and Smith, 18-0 (13 KOs), has endured a drawn-out process of negotiations and scheduling changes. Fresh Productions, Matias’ promoter, ultimately won the purse bid to stage the event, ending months of uncertainty. A press conference is scheduled for November 10 to officially announce the bout.
While the venue is now set, questions remain regarding broadcast arrangements in both the U.S. and U.K., with BoxRec currently listing the fight as a PPV.com event. Neither fighter has confirmed additional details, though anticipation continues to grow for what promises to be one of early 2026’s biggest fights.
For Smith, the undefeated Brit faces the sternest test of his career. His standout victory came in 2023 with a fifth-round stoppage of a faded Jose Zepeda, followed by routine wins over Walid Ouizza and Mathieu Germain. Matias, by contrast, has consistently competed at a higher level, most recently edging Alberto Puello via majority decision after his loss to Liam Paro last year.
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