Subriel Mathias vs. Dalton Smith: The British contender for the world title hopes to emulate the “legend” Ricky Hatton

The match continues despite Mathias returning a positive test for Ostarine, a muscle growth factor on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of banned substances, in an out-of-competition sample taken on November 9 by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.

The B sample also produced a negative result, but the New York State Athletics Commission allowed the 33-year-old to compete, ruling that the concentration detected was below the threshold used by major boxing authorities.

After the initial failed test, the WBC cited “mitigating factors” and concluded that the low levels were consistent with accidental ingestion through contaminated supplements. However, Mathias was placed on probation for 12 months with the sanctioning body.

Although the failed tests were not directly addressed in the press conference, tensions rose when Mathias addressed Smith’s promoter, Eddie Hearn.

“If you are a fighter, your face will be smashed,” Mathias told Hearn.

Hearn replied: “Thank God I’m not a fighter.” “But, as I said, justice will be served.”

When a reporter asked him what he meant, Hearn sidestepped the question and redirected the attention back to Smith.