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Dalton Smith stuns Subriel Matias KO in the fifth round to win the title

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Just when it looked like Dalton Smith had used the wrong strategy against the heavily armed Subriel Matias, staying in the pocket and punching, the British fighter scored a stunning fifth-round knockout to become the WBC junior welterweight champion in a thrilling fight at the Barclays Center in Recent York.

Fighting in Sheffield, UK, Smith (19-0, 14 KO) was drawn into an ill-advised head-to-head fight with Matias after the first round. While Matias welcomed the close combat, Smith persevered and weathered the storm. Just when it seemed Matias was breaking him down, Smith unleashed a pair of right hands in the fifth round that made him a world champion. The first one shook Matias badly, the second one knocked him down tough. Matias fought back and eventually got back to his feet, but was seriously injured when the referee stopped the fight with less than a minute left in the round.

“For the first time in my career, I was the underdog and the first time I faced a monster,” Smith said. “I canceled all the noise. Tonight was my night.”

Smith made his US debut in a fight with Matias, which almost didn’t happen. In November, before the fight, Matias tested positive for a banned substance in the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association test. However, following an investigation in December, the WBC found him not guilty of violating its drug policy. This would ultimately benefit Smith, who pulled off an upset in a fight full of fireworks from the opening bell. Matias (23-3, 22 KO) moved forward and tried to put pressure on Smith with his hefty hands and high punching power. Smith initially tried to stay on the outside and in the box, but was pulled in in Round 3.

The fight seemed to go in Matias’ favor, as he rocked Smith with uppercuts and punch combinations. But Smith refused to leave and responded with combinations. Matias’ bravado prevented him from retreating and finally caught up with him in round 5 when Smith stepped back and fired a tough right hand that caught Matias in the chin. Matias, who had not been knocked out before the fight, swung at Smith and was met with a second right hand that sent him to the canvas. And that was all Smith needed to become world champion.

“He beat Matias at his own game,” said Smith’s promoter Eddie Hearn. “Matias has never been down or injured before, and now Dalton Smith has declared himself the modern superstar of the 140-pound division. The future is unbelievable.”

Matias won the WBC junior welterweight title by majority vote over Alberto Puello in July and has long been considered the terror of the division. But Smith sent a message that he wouldn’t let one of the toughest fighters in the division stop him from achieving his goal in Brooklyn. And now he will welcome all challengers to his world title.

“Take up the challenge,” Smith said. “I’m one of the best, if not the best in the division. I’m ready to mix with everyone.”

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Bill Haney commented on the Keyshawn Davis situation, says Shakur Stevenson’s fight is the most significant

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Image: Bill Haney Addresses Keyshawn Davis Situation, Says Shakur Stevenson Fight Comes First

“This man said he wanted the number 144,” Bill told Fight Hub TV. “He said, ‘We’ve got to sit down like businessmen and make this happen,’ right? Well, we’ve already sat down like businessmen. We’re ready to make it happen.”

Elder Haney also rejected suggestions that the catchweight proposal would represent a sudden change of plans.

“It’s not so sudden. 144 is a welterweight. Are you crazy or what?” Haney said. “At welterweight, we range from 140 to 147.”

As the conversation turned to Keyshawn Davis and his position as a top contender for the WBO title, Haney repeatedly pointed to what he believed to be a better opportunity.

“What is the most significant boxing fight going on right now?” Haney asked. “Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney.”

Haney acknowledged that Davis remains part of the bigger picture, but pointed out that Stevenson’s matchup has been years in the making.

“This case has been brewing for seven, eight, nine, 10 years, whatever it was,” Haney said. “Just rest and we’ll get it done. He’s on the list. He was on the list before he was on the list, and he’ll stay on the list.”

Time will tell if the fight comes to fruition, but Bill Haney’s comments were perhaps the strongest indication yet that Team Haney is sedate about racing Stevenson at the proposed catchweight of 144 pounds.

The situation could become more complicated if the WBO formally orders Haney to fulfill his mandatory obligation to Davis. Until then, it appears the Haneys are turning their attention to what they believe is the biggest fight available.

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Oscar De La Hoya says Gervonta Davis doesn’t deserve to have an undefeated record before her comeback

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Oscar De La Hoya says that Gervonta Davis does not deserve undefeated record ahead of comeback

Oscar De La Hoya believes Gervonta Davis’ professional record should see a loss ahead of his potential comeback fight.

It is said that the 31-year-old is in negotiations for a fight for the WBA lightweight title with Floyd Schofield Jr, offering “Tank” the opportunity to regain his elderly belt.

Davis defended his world title after: controversial draw with Lamont Roach in March 2025, but has since become the sanctioning body’s “halt champion” at 135 pounds.

This is partly due to his passivity, but also to the American’s problems outside the ring, where he faced accusations of domestic violence.

However, it currently appears that Davis could return to action soon, with a potential fight with Schofield set for September or October.

These negotiations involve Schofield’s promoter, Golden Boy boss De La Hoya, who insists that “Tank” should suffer his first professional defeat in the match against Roach.

Their match ended in a draw after referee Steve Willis ruled against a knockdown in round nine when Davis clearly touched the canvas following a shot by Roach.

As a result, De La Hoya said Fighting Hub TV that Roach should have back-to-back victories over “Tank” and Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz, whom he boxed in December to a less controversial draw.

“Roach is a great fighter in his own right. He has some really good wins under his belt. I say he wins because I think he really won against ‘Tank’ Davis and I think he did a great job against ‘Pitbull.’

If Davis and Schofield’s respective teams are unable to reach an agreement by June 22, their mandate quarterback will be sent to a bidding hearing.

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Shakur Stevenson accuses Devin Haney of ‘false public negotiations’ after £144 settlement

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Image: Shakur Stevenson Accuses Devin Haney of "Fake Public Negotiations" After 144-Pound Agreement

Potential negotiations between Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson have taken another public turn after Stevenson accused his rival of engaging in “false public negotiations” following Haney’s latest comments on social media.

Haney appeared frustrated after previously agreeing to Stevenson’s proposed catchweight of 144 pounds, suggesting that even accepting those terms did not bring the fight any closer to becoming a reality.


“144 is not enough…I still don’t want to fight! Damn…@ShakurStevenson,” Haney wrote X.

Shakur later responded by dismissing this public exchange as a impoverished reflection of how main event fights actually unfold.

“The same thing you all did with Rolly. All those counterfeit public negotiations… The real negotiations take place offline.” I am the truth that you will see when you stand before me!!” Shakur posted.

Shakiur previously considered 144 pounds to be a fair compromise in a potential showdown with Haney, who has competed at welterweight in his most recent outings. Haney then signaled his willingness to accept the catchweight offer, sparking optimism that one of boxing’s most talked-about fights could gain momentum.

The latest exchange came shortly after the WBO confirmed that Haney must either defend his welterweight title against mandatory challenger Keyshawn Davis or risk losing the belt. While neither Haney nor Stevenson directly addressed the situation in their recent posts, the article did add another note to any future negotiations involving the former two-division world champions.

With Haney facing a WBO title decision and Shakur insisting that stern negotiations will take place behind closed doors, the pressure is now on both camps to determine whether the fight can go beyond an online exchange.

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Categories Devin Haney, Keyshawn Davis and Shakur Stevenson

Last update: 2026/06/12 at 21:45

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