Dalton Smith and Subriel Matias Showdown Nears as Fight Talks Advance

A potential date has emerged for one of the most intriguing super-lightweight clashes of the year, as unbeaten British contender Dalton Smith prepares to challenge Subriel Matias for the WBC world super-lightweight title — on enemy territory.

Smith (18-0, 13 KOs), the WBC’s mandatory challenger, is set to travel to Puerto Rico for the high-stakes bout after Team Matias won the purse bid earlier this month.

Promoters Fresh Productions, representing the reigning champion Matias, submitted a winning bid of $1.9 million, narrowly edging out Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, who offered $1.71 million. While the traditional split for such bids is 70% to the champion and 30% to the challenger, the WBC has implemented a revised structure for this bout.

The sanctioning body has reserved 10% of the purse — $190,000 — as a winner’s bonus, ensuring extra motivation for both fighters. According to ESPN’s Salvador Rodriguez, the fight is now targeted for November 29, with Puerto Rico confirmed as the host location.

Rodriguez reported via X (formerly Twitter): “November 29 [is being explored] for Subriel Matias’ return in [Puerto Rico].”

This will mark only Smith’s second fight outside the UK — his first being a relatively low-profile appearance in Italy back in 2019. However, the stakes are significantly higher this time, with the Sheffield fighter facing a proven world-level puncher in Matias.

Smith’s most notable win to date came against a past-his-prime Jose Zepeda in 2024, but the undefeated Brit now faces a major step up in opposition.

Matias (23-2, 22 KOs), despite losing his IBF title to Liam Paro in 2024, quickly rebounded with two stoppage wins before defeating Alberto Puello in July to claim the WBC belt. Though the decision was met with some controversy — many felt Puello had done enough to win — Matias was awarded the majority decision and became a two-time world champion.

Now, with the fight date drawing near, Dalton Smith faces the toughest challenge of his career — and a golden opportunity to announce himself on the global stage.