Dalton Smith’s Championship Victory
Dalton Smith achieved a remarkable milestone in his boxing career by defeating Subriel Matias to secure the WBC light-welterweight championship. The fight took place in the heart of Brooklyn at the Barclays Center, where an electrifying fifth round saw Smith deliver a stunning blow to Matias that sent him crashing to the canvas. Although the Puerto Rican fighter managed to rise, the referee deemed him unfit to continue, calling an end to the bout.
Smith’s Reflections on the Fight
Smith, now 28, expressed his astonishment at being in the underdog position prior to entering the ring. Having faced the intimidating Matias, who has an impressive record, he noted the immense challenge but also showed respect for his opponent, stating,
“He’s a great champion.”
Reflecting on his performance, Smith admitted he deviated from his original plan, choosing instead to engage in Matias’s aggressive style.
Support and Atmosphere
With this victory, Smith joins a distinguished group of current British champions alongside notable fighters like Fabio Wardley and Lewis Crocker. While ticket sales for the event may have been modest, a strong contingent of Smith’s fans showed unwavering support, cheering him on to the sounds of ‘When the Sun Goes Down’ by Arctic Monkeys.
The atmosphere favored Matias, particularly with New York’s considerable Puerto Rican community backing him. During his entrance, Matias even paused for photos with relatives, displaying a relaxed demeanor. As the two fighters squared off, Smith started strong, landing precise punches that earned him the opening round, although Matias came back in the second, putting Smith on the defensive as blood flowed from Smith’s nose.
The Fight’s Turning Point
Amid the intense back-and-forth of the fight, Smith made an unexpected decision to exchange blows with the champion. Known for his aggressive fighting style, Matias had a reputation bolstered by 22 knockouts in 23 victories. But Smith was no slouch, showing his own knockout prowess with 13 stoppages to his name. As the fight progressed, Smith effectively landed clean left hooks, setting the stage for the defining moment of the match.
In a powerful display, despite being briefly rocked by a combination from Matias, Smith rallied back in the fifth round. He executed a series of perfect combinations before delivering the fight-ending overhand right. Matias protested the referee’s decision as Smith’s father and trainer, Grant Smith, celebrated in the ring alongside him.
Controversies and Future Prospects
Interestingly, Matias was fighting under scrutiny after testing positive for a banned substance ahead of the match, which led to mixed reactions regarding the fight continuing as deemed safe by the New York State Athletic Commission.
This victory not only marks a personal triumph for Smith but places him in a prestigious lineage of British fighters who have claimed titles in the United States. With the potential for more significant bouts ahead, including matchups against top contenders like Teofimo Lopez and Gary Russell, Smith’s future looks promising. Promoter Eddie Hearn has hinted that a celebratory homecoming event in Sheffield could be next, emphasizing Smith’s emergence as a major star in light-welterweight boxing. He encouraged aspiring fighters through Smith’s journey, inspiring them to chase their dreams relentlessly.
