Subriel Matias defends his WBC super lightweight world title for the first time against Dalton Smith on Saturday in New York.
Matias vs Smith is staged at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and available on pay-per-view on PPV.com.
Matias’ promotional company, Fresh Productions outbid Smith’s promoter, Matchroom to win the promotional rights with a bid of $1.9m.
Matias (23-2, 22 KOs) is in his second reign as world champion, having previously held the IBF super lightweight crown.
The Puerto Rican lost his belt in a unanimous decision reverse to Liam Paro in June 2024.
The 33-year-old ripped away the WBC title from Alberto Puello by majority decision in July.
His clash with Smith (18-0, 13 KOs) has been overshadowed by controversy after Matias tested positive for Ostarine on November 9.
The two-time world champion has been cleared to fight by the New York State Athletic Commission who deemed the levels of Ostarine in his system “below the applicable threshold.”
Smith is undefeated in 18 professional bouts and first rose to prominence on the world stage when he knocked out former title challenger, Jose Zepeda with a body shot in March 2024 to win the WBC Silver title.
The 28-year-old fought twice in 2025, stopping Walid Ouizza in a round last January, before outpointing Mathieu Germain in April.
Prediction: Matias is the betting favourite to defeat the Sheffield man, but Smith is on the rise and I expect him to become the new champion on points.
Santiago clashes with Cedeno
Alfredo Santiago looks to close in on a second world title shot when he meets undefeated Hendri Cedeno in an all-Dominican clash.
Santiago (17-2, 8 KOs) was beaten by Devin Haney in a bid for the WBC lightweight belt in 2019 and was then halted two fights later by Ricardo Nunez.
However, the 31-year-old has looked stronger since moving up in weight winning four on the bounce and claiming the WBO NABO belt in the process.
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Cedeno (16-0, 12 KOs) is unbeaten in 16 contests, taking the WBO Intercontinental strap from Idalberto Umara in April.
The winner of this bout is in line for a shot at WBO champion, Teofimo Lopez who faces Shakur Stevenson on January 31.
Prediction: Santiago’s experience should prove the difference here and he can hand Cedeno a first defeat on points.
Bravo battles Campa
Nestor Bravo looks to get back to winning ways when he faces Pedro Campa in a crossroads super lightweight showdown.
Bravo (23-1, 16 KOs) suffered a first professional defeat in March, losing on a split decision to Xolisani Ndongeni.
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Campa (37-4-1, 25 KOs) bounced back from a first round loss to the aforementioned Santiago, by halting Arturo Herrera Mario in two rounds in August.
Prediction: Bravo should stop Campa.
Remaining Undercard
In an intriguing clash of former world title challengers, Jonathan Rodriguez (25-2-1, 17 KOs) should outpoint Jeyvier Cintron (13-1, 6 KOs) at bantamweight.
Former bantamweight world champion, Emmanuel Rodriguez (22-3, 13 KOs) returns and he may need the distance to overcome Fernando Diaz (16-6-1, 6 KOs).
Rising featherweight prospect, Keith Colon (8-0, 8 KOs) can extend his perfect record to nine straight stoppage wins by halting Alberto Guevara (28-8, 13 KOs).
Light heavyweight prospect, Arjan Iseni (4-0, 4 KOs) can also maintain his perfect start to the paid ranks with a stoppage win over Mario Bedolla Orozco (4-4, 3 KOs).
