Tim Bradley Makes KO Prediction for Subriel Matias vs. Dalton Smith: ‘He’ll Cut Him Up’

British fighters winning world titles on American soil is a list that dates back more than a century. Can Dalton Smith add himself as the latest to do so?

From Ted “Kid” Lewis to Alan Minter and Lloyd Honeyghan, and from Lennox Lewis to Kell Brook and Darren Barker, several Britons have traveled to the United States and returned home as world champions. Five years ago, Tyson Fury added his name to that honor roll when he demolished Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas to win the WBC heavyweight title.

This Saturday evening, another British challenger is trying to do the same. The WBC green and gold belt will be on the line at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn when Puerto Rican destroyer Subriel Matias (23-2, 22 KOs) defends his welterweight world title against Smith of Sheffield.

Such is Matias’ relentless, pressure-laden style – and his appetite for hand-to-hand combat – that the fight represents the biggest test of Smith’s career to date.

A former WBC welterweight titleholder knows exactly what it takes to win that belt. Tim Bradley captured it in Nottingham in May 2008 when he dethroned Junior Witter. Now 42, Bradley is a regular pundit on his YouTube channel after a stint as an analyst on Top Rank shows for ESPN, and he made his feelings on Matias-Smith very clear.

“Dalton Smith is about to get his ass sliced. Y’all know who he’s fighting? He’s never fought anyone of that caliber. Is this an opportunity to prove he’s at that level? Yeah. But I don’t think he’s at that level.”

Bradley then questioned the quality of opposition Smith (18-0, 13 KO) faced ahead of his first world title challenge.

“Dalton Smith – a good little counter puncher, has a good right hand, a good left hook – but he’s fighting bums over in England. They don’t bring any heat. He hasn’t been there with a real one who can punch. He hasn’t felt the pain he’ll feel when Matias puts that pressure on him.

“Matias is one of those guys who will cut your ass. It won’t last 12 rounds.”

The fight was not without controversy. In November, it emerged that Matias had returned an adverse analytical finding on a VADA drug test. The WBC ruled that the positive Ostarine test was the result of contaminated supplements, placed Matias on one year’s probation and allowed the competition to proceed.

Further criticism followed after it was confirmed that UK fans would have to pay £41.95 via PPV.com to watch the fight.. Had Smith’s promoter Matchroom won the auction, the fight would have been broadcast on DAZN as part of its standard monthly subscription, but Eddie Hearn was outbid by Matias’ promoter Fresh Productions.

For Smith, the noise surrounding the fight doesn’t matter. History, doubters and a feared champion await him – and if he wants to join the select group of British world champions crowned in America, he will have to do it the hardest way possible.