Matias and Smith Make Weight for Title Bout

Subriel Matias and Dalton Smith both made weight on Friday ahead of their WBC junior welterweight title bout scheduled for Saturday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Matias, the defending champion, tipped the scales at 140 pounds, the division limit, while challenger Smith weighed in at 139.6 pounds.

The 12-round main event pits the 33-year-old Puerto Rican Matias, with a record of 23-2 and 22 knockouts, against the unbeaten 28-year-old Englishman Smith, who stands at 18-0 with 13 knockouts. For Matias of Fajardo, this marks the first defense of the WBC belt he captured in July via majority decision over Alberto Puello in Queens. That victory followed a stunning upset loss of his previous IBF title to Liam Paro in June 2024, ending a dominant run that included a 96 percent knockout rate in his career. Smith's fight represents several milestones: his debut world title opportunity, his first bout in the United States, and a step up after claiming the WBC's top contender spot in February. The Sheffield native last fought in April, securing a unanimous decision over Mathieu Germain with three knockdowns.

The matchup emerged from stalled negotiations that led to a purse...