Smith stops Matias to win WBC light-welterweight title

Britain’s Dalton Smith stopped Subriel Matias in the fifth round to win the WBC light-welterweight world title in New York.

The bout took place at Brooklyn’s Barclays Centre, where Smith dropped the Puerto Rican champion with an overhand right in the fifth round. Matias beat the count but struggled to regain balance, leading the referee to stop the contest.

“It’s the first time in my career I’ve been the underdog and the first time I’ve fought a monster,” said 28-year-old Smith.

“Take nothing away from Subriel – he’s a great champion.

“I didn’t really stick to the tactics tonight. I played him at his own game.

“I gave my dad a bit of a heart attack in there as that wasn’t the game plan, but I took all his best shots and thought ‘you can’t hurt me’. I knew I’d get to him.”

Smith becomes one of the UK’s five current male world champions, joining Fabio Wardley, Lewis Crocker, Jazza Dickens and Nick Ball.

Matias, making the first defence of the title he won against Alberto Puello in July, started slowly and Smith took the opening round with clean punches. Matias responded in the second, forcing Smith backwards and drawing blood from his nose.

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After an even third round, Smith chose to trade punches with the champion. Both fighters carried knockout records, with Matias entering the bout with 22 stoppages from 23 wins and Smith with 13 knockouts.

Smith landed left hooks late in the fourth round before the decisive exchange in the fifth. After briefly absorbing a Matias combination, Smith responded with left-right punches and finished with the overhand right that ended the fight.

There was a brief protest from Matias as the bout was stopped, while Smith’s trainer and father, Grant, entered the ring to celebrate.

Before the fight, promoter Eddie Hearn had said “justice shall be served”, following Matias’ positive test for the banned substance ostarine in November.

During fight week, Smith spoke about building a following in the United States, similar to the late Ricky Hatton.

“This is a message to every kid out there. Do not let anybody tell you can’t achieve your dreams because if you work hard, you can do it,” Smith said.

By winning his first world title in the US, Smith joins British fighters including Bob Fitzsimmons, Alan Minter, Lloyd Honeyghan, Nigel Benn, Darren Barker, James DeGale and Kell Brook.

Smith is now in line to face other leading contenders in the division. Teofimo Lopez is due to fight Shakur Stevenson on 31 January, while Gary Russell holds the WBA belt and Richardson Hitchins is the IBF champion.

(BBC)