Today at Barclays Center, WBO and WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Xander Zayas and challenger Jaron “Boots” Ennis took the stage for their official press conference ahead of their June 27 showdown. The highly anticipated bout is set to stream live on DAZN PPV, presented by Matchroom in association with Top Rank.

Both fighters stood firm as the buildup officially began. Ennis looks to make a statement and cement his status among the elite, chasing history as a potential two weight unified champion. Across from him stood 23 year old Xander Zayas, who recently unified the division in Puerto Rico following a hard fought split decision victory over Abass Baraou. That win made Zayas the youngest unified champion in boxing and the first Puerto Rican to accomplish it at 154.

When the two squared up once more, the energy shifted again. No smiles, no extra movement just focus. The kind of moment where the crowd leans in and the noise fades for a second. Two undefeated fighters, both with something to prove, both ready for what is coming next.

With June 27 set, Brooklyn got a preview of what is to come and if this face off was any indication, this fight is going to be one to watch.

From the opening bell, the energy inside Barclays Center felt one sided. Puerto Rican flags waved proudly as the crowd expected another dominant performance from their heavy hitting star Matias. Known for his pressure fighting and knockout power, it was supposed to be a short night for the Sheffield native. The crowd erupted as the fight began, they had been waiting all night to see Matias take the stage. After an action packed fight week, they were ready to see bloodshed.

But as the rounds went on, you could feel the shift in the air. The cheers slowly turned into nervous murmurs as Smith stood his ground, taking shots that once put other fighters on the canvas and dishing them right back. The small but passionate group of English fans began to find their voice, growing louder with every exchange.

Then came the moment that changed everything. In the fifth round, Dalton Smith landed a crushing right hand that stunned Subriel Matias and sent shockwaves through the arena. Matias stumbled back, shocked. Never been rocked like that before, never been stopped, he was in unfamiliar territory. He tried to respond, to shake it off and fight back like the warrior he is, but another shot dropped him to the canvas for the first time. He got back up ready for war, but Dalton’s power was too much, forcing the referee to step in and stop the fight.

What was expected to be a routine title defense turned into a statement upset, as Smith captured the WBC super lightweight title and shocked the boxing world.

The arena fell into a stunned silence, broken only by the eruption of the English fans who had just witnessed history. On a night that was supposed to belong to Matias, it was Smith who walked away with all the glory, stepping into a new chapter of his career. Who is next for Dalton?