The Subriel Matias-Dalton Smith title fight could proceed Jan. 10 as planned pending review and further testing of the WBC junior welterweight titleholder, the New York State Athletic Commission said in a Tuesday statement to The Ring.

Matias delivered an adverse analytical finding Nov. 9 following a VADA test. Under World Anti-Doping Agency guidelines, Ostarine is classified as a non-threshold substance. Therefore, any detectable amount triggers an adverse analytical finding.

The NYSAC, however, considers the presence of Ostarine "abornomal at levels greater than 0.01 ng/ml. Matias' A- sample was measured at 0.085 ng/ml, which is below the threshold. The NYSAC said: "Matias has been cooperative with the Commission thus far regarding this matter, and is subject to additional testing and review.”

"The New York State Athletic Commission is aware that Mr. Matías, who is currently licensed, has received an adverse analytic finding from VADA concerning an out of competition test. The reported concentration was below the applicable threshold used by multiple jurisdictions, including Nevada, California, and New York.

“In accordance with Commission regulations, all licensees must comply with any medical examinations and laboratory testing required by the Commission, and the results of out of competition testing administered by VADA are appropriately considered when determining fitness to compete in New York State. …

“The Commission is closely monitoring the situation, will review the results of all additional ongoing testing, and is in communication with relevant parties regarding the VADA report. As the matter is under review, no further comment will be made by the Commission at this time.”

Matias, a 33-year-old Puerto Rican, is The Ring’s No. 2 boxer at 140 pounds. Matias (23-2, 22 KOs) became a two-time junior welterweight titleholder when he scored a thrilling majority-decision victory over Alberto Puello in July in New York on the undercard of The Ring III.

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman announced after The Ring broke the news of the adverse finding that it had 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.”

England’s Smith (18-0, 13 KOs) is The Ring’s No. 7 junior welterweight. He was installed as a slight betting underdog vs. Matias in a virtual coin-flip fight. Matias’ lone defeat came in June 2024 vs. Liam Paro via unanimous decision in a major upset.

Ostarine is the same banned substance Ryan Garcia tested positive for following his win over Devin Haney in April 2024. The NYSAC, the same commission with oversight of Matias-Smith, suspended Garcia for one year and overturned the victory to a no-contest.

Ostarine is a selective androgen receptor modulator that attaches to proteins in the body and effectively tells muscles to grow. It is used to aid performance by helping athletes build muscle mass and enhance their rate of fat loss and also to increase stamina and recovery ability.

It has been on WADA's banned list since 2008 and in 2022 was listed by the organization as an anabolic agent.

Lucian Bute tested positive for Ostarine in 2016 following a draw with Badou Jack in their WBC super middleweight title fight. The result was changed to a DQ win for Jack.

Amir Khan was handed a two-year ban by UKAD after he tested positive for Ostarine following his sixth-round TKO loss to Kell Brook in 2022.