Matias looks ready to defend his belt this summer
Subriel Matias (20-1, 20KOs) looks set to make his second super lightweight title defence, with Mike Coppinger reporting he will face Liam Paro on June 15 in Puerto Rico.
With an almost perfect record, knocking out every opponent he has faced and only one loss on his record, Matias will be a tough champion to beat. It will be no easy task for Paro to strip the title from the Puerto Rican.
Matias has quickly become a fan favourite at super lightweight, consistently ending fights in spectacular fashion. The 31-year-old has built a reputation for demoralising his opponents, breaking them down and making any chance of a comeback seem futile. The proof is in the pudding, with his last five outings seeing every one of his opponents retired by their corner.
Paro is a rising star at 140lbs, the undefeated Australian has been on a run of good form, stacking two convincing stoppage victories in his most recent outings. His last bout, against Montana Love in December, saw him come away with perhaps the most impressive win of his career.
The 27-year-old came out the corner explosive at the start of the sixth, knocking Montana down twice in spectacular fashion. The fight was swiftly waved off by the ref, with the American facing a standing stoppage.
Prior to the fight, Paro had been criticised for fighting ‘ducks’ in his previous showings. Though he proved that he is here to stay, and a real threat to those at the top of the division.
The IBF champ had long been signed to the PBC, fighting under the promotion since 2020. However, his summer showdown will prove a change of pace, having recently signed with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom. The fight will be shown on DAZN.