Dalton Smith's stunning victory over Subriel Matias left Raul Marquez in awe, as the young boxer showcased his prowess in a thrilling showdown at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Smith's 19-0 record (with 14 knockouts) made his first US trip memorable, as he claimed the WBC 140lbs title with a fifth-round stoppage, leaving Marquez and his broadcasting partner, Corey Erdman, in disbelief.
Marquez, a former U.S. Olympian and titleholder, was particularly impressed by Smith's strategy. "It shocked me," he said. "Not only did he knock out Matias, something no one had achieved, but he did it by outmaneuvering Matias in his own game."
The fight was a back-and-forth battle, with Smith gaining the upper hand in the early rounds. However, Matias, known for his slow start and overwhelming pressure, began to inflict damage. This narrative is not new for Matias, who has a history of starting slowly and then overwhelming his opponents.
Marquez, however, offered a different perspective. "Dalton's plan was to box," he explained. "He said he took Matias' best shots and then decided to beat him at his own game. But I think he was forced into that fight because that's what Matias does. He tends to take his opponents' punches and then overwhelm them."
The turning point came when Smith landed a powerful right hand, wobbling Matias before sending him to the canvas. This was only the second time in Matias' career that he had been knocked down, with his previous loss to Petros Ananyan in 2020. Some critics argued that Matias, as the champion, should have been given the benefit of the doubt and allowed to make a final stand.
Marquez, a former titleholder, disagreed. "Matias was out," he stated. "He got back up, but the referee made the right call. If Dalton Smith had caught him again with a big right hand, he might have been seriously injured."
This controversial interpretation sparked debate among boxing enthusiasts, with some questioning whether Matias deserved a second chance. However, Marquez's analysis provided a compelling argument, highlighting the importance of recognizing the skill and strategy that led to Smith's remarkable victory.
