Subriel Matias vs. Dalton Smith should be an absolute war for the Jr. Lightweight WBC title. ESPN2 News has Matias at 23-2 with 22 KOs, ranked #25 on our pound-for-pound list. But he recently tested positive for PEDs, and without the “special sauce,” he may not be the same indestructible brawler who can just walk through punches.
There’s a yin to every yang. For all of Matias’ suffocating offense, he’s also one of the more hittable champions in boxing. The purple-hearted 33-year-old WBC champ could be a little shopworn from all the wars he’s endured with his no-step-back style.
Meanwhile, the hungry, little-known top-10 contender Smith — 18-0 with 13 KOs — may have the edge. Youth, sharper punches, and superior defense could be the difference in what promises to be a brutal showdown.
Fight Picks: Dalton Smith +145 (Flier Bet* Wager $50 to win $72.50)
| Skill |
Subriel Matias |
Dalton Smith |
| Strength |
8.5 |
8.5 |
| Power |
8.5 |
8.0 |
| Handspeed |
7.5 |
8.0 |
| Stamina |
8.0 |
8.5 |
| Defense |
6.5 |
7.5 |
| Chin |
8.5 |
8.0 |
| Jab |
6.0 |
7.0 |
| Boxing Ability |
6.5 |
7.5 |
| Footwork |
6.5 |
7.0 |
| Bodypunching/Infighting |
9.0 |
8.0 |