Boxing News
Subriel Matias-Jeremias Ponce Vacant IBF Bout Off For October
The ordered battle for the vacant IBF 140 lb. crown that was slated for October 15th is postponed. At least that’s what one of the participants, Subriel Matias says and posted on social media about it Saturday.
Even though it hadn’t been officially announced, Matias was reportedly slated to face Jeremias Ponce on the undercard of the PBC pay per view that will feature heavyweights Deontay Wilder and Robert Helenius in the main event.
“Have a good weekend everyone, thank you all for your support, I want to inform you that I will not be fighting on October 15 due to a visa problem and now I know I will continue training, it is not in my hands to wait now when I fight, thank you all for your support and good vibes 🙏🏾🔥 ” Matias wrote in Spanish.
Matias, 18-1, 18 KO’s, moved into the IBF’s number-two position with an 8th round TKO of Batyrzhan Jukembayev May of 2021 in Carson, California. He then kayoed Petros Ananyan in the ninth round in January.
Meanwhile, the top contender Ponce, 30-0, 20 KOs, won his bout in June of last year with an impressive TKO of Lewis Ritson in Newcastle, England to get him the top spot. Ponce has won two fights, both by early KO, since the Ritson win to solidify his standing in the IBF.
Ponce is from Argentina and that’s the apparent complication for the October 15th date, at least according to Matias.
The IBF junior welterweight belt became vacant when former undisputed champ Josh Taylor of Scotland elected to rematch England’s Jack Catterall later this year. Taylor won a disputed decision over Catterall in Glasgow, Scotland in February and there is a big demand in the U.K. for them to fight again.
A veteran broadcaster of over 25 years, T.J. has been a fight fan longer than that! He’s the host of the “Big Fight Weekend” podcast and will go “toe to toe” with anyone who thinks that Marvin Hagler beat Sugar Ray Leonard or that Tyson, Lennox Lewis or Deontay Wilder could have beaten Ali!
