IBF light welterweight champion Subriel Matias is expected to make his next defense on a DAZN show in Puerto Rico against unbeaten Eddie Hearn-promoted Liam Paro (24-0, 15 KOs) in June or July. According to Matias’ promoter, Juan Orengo, several venues are being examined.
Matias (20-1, 20 KOs) is no longer with Premier Boxing Champions (PBC), but it’s unclear if he’s signed with Hearn’s Matchroom for a multi-fight deal. Matias vs. Paro fight is “90% guaranteed,” said Orengo.
Matias: The Avoided Man?
It would be a great addition if Hearn signed Matias to his Matchroom stable. However, he might have massive problems finding fighters who would want to fight him.
Hearn can’t physically drag Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney, or Teofimo Lopez kicking and screaming into the ring to face Matias if they don’t fancy the fight.
The hard-hitting knockout artist Matias had hoped to get fights against WBO 140-lb champion Teofimo Lopez and WBC champ Devin Haney, but neither showed any interest in fighting him.
Seeking Recognition and Top Fights
That could be a sign that they didn’t like their chances of winning after watching what Matias did to the unbeaten #1 WBA-ranked Shohjahon Ergashev last November, wearing him down with heavy shots to score a sixth-round knockout.
That fight proved to knowledgeable hardcore boxing fans that Matias is the best fighter in the 140-lb division, and the top fighters in the division will likely continue to avoid him.
“We are not with PBC; the matter is more serious. The doors are open with them [PBC], but our next fight will not be with them,” said Matías to El Nuevo Dia. “The most I can say is that we are going to overtake him,” Matias said about Paro.
Subtle Jabs and Fan Frustration
“He [Paro] is brave and has his boxing. He stops. He is left-handed, and he is strong. We have to see if he has the same balls as me. “I like it, and that’s what the fan wants to see because no one wants to see two people running through the ring,” said Matias.
Some would believe that the last comment by Matias about “running” could be a jab at WBC light welterweight champion Devin Haney, who ran around the ring when being attacked by his last opponent, Regis Prograis, last December, leaving fans feeling bored and disappointed for having wasted their money ordering the fight on DAZN PPV.
