British boxer Dalton Smith sensationally ripped the WBC light-welterweight crown from Subriel Matias with a stunning fifth-round knockout in New York.
The 28-year-old, from Sheffield, floored the Puerto Rican with a thunderous right hook at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Sunday, leaving the title-holder wobbling before the referee stepped in to halt the contest.
Matias, 33, attempted to haul himself back to his feet but the damage was done and Smith’s victory was confirmed – ushering him into a famous list of British fighters to have captured their first world title on American soil.
After marching to the ring to the sound of some of Sheffield’s most famous sons, the Arctic Monkeys, Smith started strongly before Matias – defending his belt for the first time – began to edge his way back into the contest and take control.
But Smith matched him and, planting heavy shots, began wrestling it back. By the fifth the pair were trading major blows, but two huge strikes in quick succession from Smith sent Matias crashing to the canvas. And with that, his victory was confirmed.
‘It’s the first time in my career I’ve been the underdog and the first time I’ve fought a monster,’ Smith said.
‘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 gameplan, but I took all his best shots and thought “you can’t hurt me”. I knew I’d get to him.’
Smith’s victory makes him the fifth British current world title holder, joining heavyweight Fabio Wardley, welterweight Lewis Crocker, super-featherweight Jazza Dickens and featherweight Nick Ball.
By winning his first world title in the US, Smith also sits alongside Bob Fitzsimmons, Alan Minter, Lloyd Honeyghan, Nigel Benn, Darren Barker, James DeGale and Kell Brook, all of whom achieved that feat.
‘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, who remains unbeaten, continued.
The 28-year-old then headed straight for McMahon’s Public House, an Irish bar just yards away from the Barclays Center, where he has been celebrating with the British fans who had travelled to see him.
Videos shared by Matchroom Boxing show Smith pouring and drinking a pint of Guinness behind the bar while being serenaded by chants of ‘Champione, Champione, Ole, Ole Ole.’
He could also be seen leading chants of ‘Walking in a Dalton wonderland’ as he clutched his Union flag in the pub.
Promoter Eddie Hearn sparked controversy in the build-up as he warned ‘justice shall be served’ in comments thought to be about Matias testing positive for the banned substance ostarine in November.
However, the New York State Athletic Commission ruled that the concentration detected was below the threshold used by major boxing jurisdictions, allowing the fight to go ahead.
But Hearn’s post-match comments were all about Smith, whose victory could see him in line for a major homecoming.
‘Smith has announced himself as the light-welterweight superstar,’ Hearn said.
‘Now, fighting at Hillsbrough is a reality.’
