Subriel Matias Faces Jeopardy as WBC Champion
In a troubling turn of events for Subriel Matias, his reign as WBC super lightweight champion is facing serious jeopardy. On Thursday, Ring Magazine reported that Matias tested positive for the banned substance ostarine during a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association assessment. The Puerto Rican fighter now has ten days to request a test of his B-sample.
Title Defense in Question
Initially set to defend his title against mandatory challenger Dalton Smith on January 10 at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, Matias now finds his title defense hanging by a thread. Following a successful purse bid won by Fresh Productions, bringing in $1.9 million in September, hopes for the match are dwindling as Matias faces the possibility of being stripped of his championship.
Disappointing Title Reign
This would mark a disappointing end to a title reign that has yet to see any successful defenses. Matias had previously made headlines when he seized the IBF title in 2023. However, his tenure was cut short when he lost the belt to Liam Paro in June 2024. He regained the championship in a contentious majority decision against Alberto Puello during the undercard of the Edgar Berlanga versus Hamzah Sheeraz fight in July.
Potential Outcomes
Dalton Smith, currently ranked as the WBC’s No. 1 contender, was poised to challenge Matias, while other fighters such as Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz and Lamont Roach are set to compete for the WBC interim title on December 6. Should Matias be stripped of his title, the WBC may promote Cruz to full champion status or arrange a match between Smith and Puello to contend for the vacant title.
