Smith clocks in at Times Square to celebrate world title with fans
The dazzling lights of Times Square, in the City that doesn’t sleep, shone with a special intensity on Sunday, January 11, to welcome the new titan of the 140-pound division, Britain’s Dalton Smith, as he was officially presented with his WBC super-lightweight world championship belt.
In a ceremony to remember, before a crowd of fans, Smith received the iconic Green and Gold belt from Jill Diamond, the WBC International Secretary and Chair of WBC Cares. The moment symbolised the culmination and realisation of a lifelong dream that began when Smith was just six-years-old.
The brand-new champion was accompanied by his dedicated team, including his father and trainer, Grant Smith, who was presented with his own WBC Trainer’s belt; and his promoter, Eddie Hearn (Matchroom Boxing), who has backed the Sheffield fighter’s meteoric rise on the international stage.
This title presentation follows Smith’s masterclass KO performance last weekend at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Defying the odds, Dalton Smith dethroned the feared Puerto Rican champion Subriel Matías with a display of refined boxing, unwavering discipline, and relentless focused power.
The bout, already being praised as a frontrunner for “Fight of the Year,” reached its dramatic crescendo conclusion in the fifth round. Smith successfully neutralised Matías’ aggressive, relentless style, landing explosive combinations from range culminating in three rocket rights that sent the Puerto Rican crashing to the canvas and the referee mercifully halted the contest. With this historic victory, Smith extends his perfect undefeated record to 18-0, 14 KOs.
“Holding this belt in my hands, right here in New York, is something I cannot adequately describe with words,” a visibly moved Smith declared. “I have immense respect for Subriel Matías for the war we shared, but today, this title is coming home with me. This is only the beginning of my era.”
Jill Diamond, representing WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán, praised not only Smith’s boxing prowess, but also his character and professionalism outside the ring, “Dalton is a true embodiment of the values the WBC stands for: courage, effort, and humility. We are incredibly proud to have him as our champion.”
