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IBF super lightweight world champion Subriel Matias recently made the switch from PBC to Matchroom.
The change in allegiance for Matias, a knockout artist from Puerto Rico, will see him cross over television platforms from Showtime to DAZN. With the likes of Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia joining the fun at super lightweight, the streaming service offers more attractive prospects for Matias. Away from the division’s other champions in Teofimo Lopez and Rolando Romero, Josh Taylor rematches archrival Jack Catterall on April 27 in Leeds, England.
“It would be an honor for me to face the winner of that fight,” Matias told Boxing Scene. “They are good names the fans like. The boxing world demands these competitive fights. Of course I would love to go to the U.K. for that fight, why not? All you need is a ring to fight. God is the protagonist in every chapter of my life; it will be his decision to make.”
The 140-pound landscape on DAZN is far deeper than it was with Matias’ previous broadcaster. The streaming service has several appealing unification prospects for Matias, with Matchroom and Golden Boy’s stables both on board.
“My promoter, Juan Orengo, gave me the opportunity to sign with PPC, which was actually my first defeat,” Matias said. “My first fight in the United States was before that, in 2018, in New Orleans. It was on a card where Regis Prograis fought with [Terry] Flanagan, which was actually a DAZN show. Right now, I’m not too sure when and where I will fight, but I know that God will help me continue to show the fans the same battle-hardened Subriel.”
Matias said Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has told him that he wants his next fight to be in Puerto Rico.
“I think that’s what will happen next. I’m thankful to God for the opportunity to defend my title at home,” Matias said. “I will be flying over there to help make it happen. I would love to fight Jose Carlos Ramirez – that would be a great fight for the fans. We are two warriors, and the fans love to see blood. We can both give them that. It would be an honor to fight him. I respect him. I’ve been following him since before he became champion.”
Matias pointed out that his next fight is an optional fight, and that the announcement of his mandatory challenger would follow.
“The most important thing right now,” Matias said, “is to know who I am fighting and get the deal done.”