Eddie Hearn has signed what many fans believe is the most exciting fighter in the 140-lb division, IBF champion Subriel Matias, who entertains with knockout victories.
Matias (20-1-1, 20 KOs) has knocked out 100% of his opponents in his 20 wins, and he brings drama to his fights with his seek-and-destroy fighting style, which is the opposite of the better-known Devin Haney.
This writer’s list of most exciting fighters at 140:
1. Subriel Matias
2. Ryan Garcia: Exciting but flawed
3. Jose Ramirez
4. Gary Antuanne Russell
5. Liam Paro
6. Isaac Cruz
7. Gabriel Valenzuela
8. Ismael Barroso
9. Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero
Knockout Machine
With his relentless, juggernaut style and his tremendous punching power, Matias produces knockouts like a machine, and he makes it exciting to watch his fights.
Some fans still doubt the Puerto Rican Matias’ ability to hold his own against the elite in the light welterweight division, considering he’s faced limited opposition thus far during his nine-year professional career.
Matias’ best wins have come against these fighters:
- Shohjahon Ergashev
- Jeremias Ponce
- Petros Ananyan
- Batyrzhan Jukembayev
Fan-Friendly Aggression
The powerful knockout artist Matias has wanted to fight the top 140-lb fighters, Teofimo Lopez, Devin Haney, Regis Prograis, and Ryan Garcia, but none of them has shown enough interest for him to prove himself against these top-rung fighters.
“I am very excited about the deal we’ve reached with Matchroom,” said Subriel Matias. I can’t wait to show DAZN, Matchroom, all the big names out there, and the world why this deal was made: because I am the best 140-pounder on the planet. And I will show this in front of my people, which makes me immensely happy.”
Matias signing with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing will create opportunities for him to face the bigger names and help him become a star in the light welterweight division. Hearn can help Matias get more widely known, and that should lead to the top fighters finally agreeing to face him.
“I promise to keep working hard to give the fans what they are looking for,” said Matias. “This is an all-out war until one of the two opponents breaks up. I do not run. It is not my fighting style, and it is not in my DNA. This will not change now in any way. Whoever they put in front of me, I will destroy.