Subriel Matias, the IBF light welterweight champion, will make his first defense of his title this summer against #6 ranked contender Liam Paro in a Matchroom-promoted event on June 15th, live on DAZN at the Coliseo Juan Aubín Cruz Abreu in Manatí, Puerto Rico.
Fans would have preferred that Matias (20-1-1, 20 KOs) fight Teofimo Lopez, Richardson Hitchins, Arnold Barboza Jr., or Jamaine Ortiz, but promoter Eddie Hearn is choosing to go in-house by matching Subriel with his Matchrooom fighter, Paro (24-0, 15 KOs).
Matías’ Championship Journey
The hard-hitting Matias last fought in November, stopping the unbeaten Shohjahon Ergashev in the fifth round in an action-packed, successful title defense. Ergashev looked like he was on his way to an easy victory through the first two rounds, but Matias turned up the heat in the third round, and Ergashev quickly began wearing down from the heavy shots.
Last year in February, Matias captured the vacant IBF 140-lb title with a fifth-round stoppage victory over Jeremias Ponce.
Matias’ impressive knockout record is a testament to how hard he punches and how tirelessly he pressures his opponents, walking through their shots to connect with his own to get the KOs.
Paro: A Formidable Challenger
Going up against the powerful southpaw Paro will be a good test of whether Matias can handle another big puncher. Paro is Rumored to have knocked out Shakur Stevenson in sparring recently, and it wouldn’t be surprising if it were true.
The 27-year-old Australian Paro knocked out Montana Love in the ninth round last December in San Francisco, California, on the undercard of Devin Haney vs. Regis Prograis.
Montana was once a fighter that promoter Eddie Hearn was high on, believing he could capture a world title at 140. His career is on the rocks after his loss to Steve Spark and now Paro.
“I am so excited to be bringing Subriel back home for his second World title defense,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “It’s an honor for Matchroom to be heading to Puerto Rico for the first time, and there’s no doubt that Subriel and Liam will produce an epic battle to mark the occasion.”