Boxing News
Subriel Matías Defends IBF Title in First Puerto Rico Fight in Four Years Against Liam Paro
Subriel Matías Defends IBF Title in First Puerto Rico Fight in Four Years Against Liam Paro
Subriel Matías (20-1, 20 KOs) will fight in Puerto Rico for the first time in over four years on June 15.
The knockout artist will take on Australia’s Liam Paro (24-0, 15 KOs) in the main event of a Matchroom Boxing card. This will be Matías’ second defence of his IBF super lightweight world title. DAZN will broadcast the card worldwide. Puerto Rico’s Coliseo Juan Aubín Cruz Abreu in Manatí are the hosts.
Subriel Matías Makes World Title Defence in Puerto Rico
Matías Defends IBF Title for Second Time
Matías-Paro had been in the works for some time. It is only now that the fight has finally been officially announced. This will be the first time the Puerto Rican fights on a Matchroom card. Back in February, the company signed him to a co-promotional deal alongside Fresh Productions.
Matías won the IBF belt with a fifth-round stoppage of Jeremias Ponce last year. He then followed that up with a sixth-round stoppage over Shohjahon Ergashev in November. Matías will now have the chance to defend his title in Puerto Rico.
“I am super excited to be able to be in front of my people defending the title that we had such a hard time getting,” said Matías. “The mentality will always be the same and in front of my people I don’t even have to say it, they know me. The Pride of Maternillo.”
Liam Paro Anticipating Clash With ‘The Boogeyman’
Paro will hit the road once again in a bid to become world champion. He is coming off of a sixth-round knockout victory over Montana Love in December. The Australian has fought twice in the United States but now heads to the island of Puerto Rico. Paro previously had a chance to challenge Regis Prograis for the WBC belt, but injury kept him from doing so.
“I’ve waited my whole life for this opportunity,” said Paro. “Fighter’s fight and I can’t wait to fight the boogeyman in his backyard.”
No undercard has been revealed as of yet. Fight fans can expect more details about the event in the coming weeks.
Currently writing out of Toronto, Canada, Saadeq first became a boxing fan while living in Doha, Qatar. Looking to become more involved in the sport, he began writing about boxing and has had work published in outlets such as Seconds Out and Boxing Social. He looks forward to continue covering boxing on Big Fight Weekend.
