He may or may not be the best junior welterweight in the world. But Subriel Matias is this divisions boogeyman. Even after winning the vacant IBF title on Saturday night at the Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota, by beating Jeremias Ponce into submission in five rounds, there will not be a long list of 140-pounder's willing to face him.
In short, while there is some reward (the IBF strap), the risk you face is getting bludgeoned and beaten up in the process for what won't be a huge payday.
Yeah, you still have to give Josh Taylor his due respect as the champion in the division (although Jack Catterall may beg to differ), and while Ring Magazine has the Puerto Rican rated fourth in the division, you could argue that alongside WBC belt-holder, Regis Prograis, he represents the toughest physical challenge of anyone in this weight class.
Esther Lin, Showtime Sports
Ask yourself this: just how many guys would you favor to beat him, right now?
Matias doesn't box you, but he beats you up with two cinder blocks in each hand, and a stout chin. When you face Matias, you go in one way, and come out the other. Which is precisely why Ponce's corner made the decision to call the fight off after the fifth as their fighter was sent to the canvas late in that round. They understand what could've -- and would've -- occurred.
Subriel Matias vs. Jeremias Ponce: Highlights | SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
This came after a blazing fast start from Ponce, who let the leather fly in the opening round, and actually put Matias back on his heels with a series of left uppercuts and hooks to the body. An early fire fight had broken out on this Showtime main event, but it was evident by the fourth that Matias was starting to assert control of this bout with his steady work rate and two-fisted activity.
But there would be no round six because Matias was starting to put Ponce through the meat grinder.
Esther Lin, Showtime Sports
“I'm on cloud nine right now,” said Matias, who moved to 19-1 (19 KOs). “I don't think I've woken up from this dream. Maybe I can tell you how it feels tomorrow, but right now, it's a dream come true. I wanted to work him from the first round on, because I knew he wouldn't have the same power as me as the fight went on.”
Yeah, perhaps you could make the argument that Ponce's corner should have given their a chance to steady himself. After all, the fight was a hard fought affair for the first five innings. "I thought it was an even fight, but one punch can change everything and that’s what happened,” said Ponce. “Subriel is a tough, strong fighter and I knew what he was capable of.”
Esther Lin, Showtime Sports
But the reality is that Matias was starting to truly rev up his engine, and the gap was widening between the two. As someone who was there ringside and then have to cover the horrible aftermath of his tragic and ill-fated bout against Maxim Dadashev in 2019, there's no doubt that Ponce's corner made the prudent decision to allow their guy to save their man for another day. Kudos to them.
The lone loss that Matias has on his record is now a long gone memory as he avenged that loss to Petros Ananyan by scoring a ninth round stoppage in their rematch last year. He is currently on a four fight KO streak, and now a freshly minted world champion.
Now, good luck finding anyone that would like to challenge him.
DONE DEAL
So it's finally a 'done' done deal, as it was announced by all the parties involved that the highly anticipated clash between Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia will take place on April 22 in Las Vegas. The T-Mobile Arena will most likely host this pay-per-event, but Allegiant Stadium is said to have put in a bid.
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Davis (28-0, 26 KOs) last performed on January 7, scoring an ninth round TKO of Hector Luis Garcia, while Garcia (23-0, 19 KOs) stopped veteran, Javier Fortuna, in six rounds last July. This fight is scheduled to be fought at a catch-weight of 136 pounds.
FINAL FLURRIES
Elvis Rodriguez scored a close 10 round decision over Joseph Adorno, and Jamal James out-pointed Alberto Palmetta on the Showtime undercard bouts....Badou Jack became a three-division champion by stopping Junior Makabu for the WBC cruiserweight title in 12....It's around 50-degrees here in Los Angeles. For us, that is downright frigid...Enjoyed 'the Founder' about Ray Kroc (played by Michael Keaton).... For those of you who cared, Tommy Fury defeated Jake Paul in Saudi Arabia... I can be reached at k9kim@yahoo.com.....
