Bold headline: Subriel Matias is declared not guilty, and the WBC approves the Matias–Dalton Smith title clash despite a VADA finding.
In Bangkok, Thailand, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed that the junior welterweight title bout scheduled for January 10 between Subriel Matias and Dalton Smith will proceed even after Matias tested positive for a substance in a recent screening.
The substance identified is ostarine, a selective androgen receptor modulator believed to enhance testosterone levels and stamina. The positive result came from a test conducted on November 9. Matias will be placed on a one-year probation and will undergo additional testing at his own expense before the fight at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Sulaiman emphasized that the organization views the positive result as likely stemming from contaminated supplements, not deliberate drug use. Despite the probation, Matias is cleared to fight Smith.
The WBC chief noted that Matias has not been found guilty of consuming performance-enhancing drugs and reiterated the need to update the Clean Boxing Program to address the growing variety of supplements that may contain substances on the WADA list.
If Matias wins, he will face mandatory challenger Alberto Puello, as per WBC rules. The Smith–Matias winner’s next assignment is to contend with Puello, maintaining the belt’s competitive momentum.
On a lighter note, another title tilt unfolds on December 6 as Isaac Cruz challenges Lamont Roach for the interim WBC belt, a bout that adds further intrigue to the division’s crowded landscape.
Controversy and discussion: Some observers question whether contaminated supplements can fully account for a positive test, while others argue the update to the Clean Boxing Program is overdue given the market’s explosion of new products. Does this approach strike the right balance between fairness and safety in boxing, or should the threshold for admissible supplements be tightened further? Share your stance in the comments: Is this a credible resolution, or a loophole that could undermine amateur and professional integrity?
