Subriel Matias returns positive test for banned substance, title defense vs. Dalton Smith in jeopardy
Subriel Matias' second title reign could be over without a single defense.
The WBC super lightweight champion returned an adverse analytical finding for the banned substance ostarine in a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association test, according to Ring Magazine on Thursday. Matias now has 10 days to request that his B-sample be tested.
Puerto Rico's Matias was scheduled to defend his belt against mandatory challenger Dalton Smith on Jan. 10 at the Barclays Center in New York after Matias' promoter, Fresh Productions, won the purse bid for $ 1.9 million in September. The fight is now unlikely to go ahead, with Matias expected to be stripped of his belt.
Matias, who formerly held the IBF title from 2023 until he lost it to Liam Paro in June 2024, became a two-time champion with a controversial majority decision victory over Alberto Puello in July on the Edgar Berlanga vs. Hamzah Sheeraz undercard.
Smith is the WBC's No 1-ranked contender and mandatory, while Isaac "Pitbull" Cruz and Lamont Roach are scheduled to fight for the WBC interim title Dec. 6. Alberto Puello is No. 2 in the WBC rankings. Cruz could be upgraded to full champion, or the WBC could now order Smith vs. Puello for the vacant title.
