Subriel Matias is officially under investigation for a matter that greatly impacts his next fight.
BoxingScene has confirmed that the WBC 140lbs titlist produced an adverse finding for the banned substance Ostarine from a drug testing sample contracted by VADA. The development comes less than two months from Matias’ mandatory title defense against England’s Dalton Smith, which is currently scheduled for January 10 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Ring Magazine was the first to report on the matter.
The subject will now appear before the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC), to determine whether Puerto Rico’s Matias is still eligible to proceed with the contest. Additionally, Matias has ten days to request the testing of his “B” sample, which will be the case, sources have informed BoxingScene. A vague update from the WBC lends to this suggestion.
“The WBC has received confirmation from VADA about an adverse finding from a test performed by WBC [140lbs] champion Subriel Matias,” WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman acknowledged in a statement released through social media. “The WBC has begun the investigation process as per the Clean Boxing Program protocol.
“I have spoken to our champion Subriel and his Promoter Mr. [Juan] Orengo, and they have expressed their absolute availability and cooperation as the process unfolds. The WBC will not make any further comments at this time.”
Among the items to review are the levels at which Matias tested positive. While Ostarine is a banned substance and classified as an anabolic agent, the amount which showed up in Matias’ system is below the presiding commission's minimum threshold at which point it would normally take action.
Ironically, the same NYSAC officials were forced to rule on Ryan Garcia’s drug testing scandal for the same substance, following his 12-round bout with Devin Haney last April – also at Barclays Center. Garcia initially won a majority decision, but produced multiple positive tests for Ostarine, for which he was met with a one-year-suspension.
Should the ruling go against Matias, the WBC would then have to determine the next course of action for its junior welterweight title. The winner is already required to next face former titlist Alberto Puello, whom Matias edged via majority decision to win the title on July 12 in Queens, New York.
Ironically, Puello’s WBA 140lbs title reign ended when he tested positive for the banned substance Clomiphene. His team pleaded the case that he was prescribed the drug as a fertility boost, as he and his wife were planning to have a child. The alibi was met with sympathy, but still resulted in a six-month suspension and forfeiture of his title.
Another sidebar comes with the status of the December 6 Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz-Lamont Roach Jnr clash in San Antonio, Texas. Mexico City’s Cruz is due to defend his WBC interim 140lbs title. A ruling that would see Matias stripped of his belt could potentially lead to an upgrade in stakes for the Prime Video Pay-Per-View main event.
For now, Matias-Smith remains on course, pending further investigation.
Matias, 23-2 (22 KOs) aims to make the first defense of the WBC 140lbs. He previously held the IBF 140lbs title for more than two years, before he lost to Liam Paro last June in his P.R. homeland.
Three wins have followed – a pair of knockouts also on home soil, prior to his win over Puello.
Smith, 18-0 (13 KOs) will enter his first career title fight which doubles as his U.S. debut. The former will remain true, no matter the result of the abovementioned investigation. A change in opponents could see Smith and Matchroom Boxing reroute the fight to a more favorable – or at least neutral – location.
