It’s been some start to the year for Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing, and it apparently just gets better and better after the signing of Subriel Matias earlier this week.
Hearn snapped up the exciting Puerto Rican world super-lightweight champion to much excitement in Essex and Latin America, and is immediately talking about big fights for the recently-crowned IBF king.
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Matias (20-1 with all 20 wins inside distance) claimed the vacant IBF Super-Lightweight title last February, forcing Jeremias Ponce to retire after five rounds of their clash in Minnesota. He then successfully defended his title against mandatory challenger Shohjahon Ergashev in November, forcing another retirement, this time after six rounds in Las Vegas, continuing his incredible record of finishing all of his victories inside the distance.
The Puerto Rican sensation is now eyeing a summer defence at home where the 31-year-old made his debut in December 2015 and has boxed there 11 times to date. A homecoming as a World champion would be something special, and Matias is thrilled to be teaming up with Matchroom and DAZN to deliver the huge nights he is hunting.
Teofimo vs Matias
He spoke this week about being what he claims is “the best 140-pounder in the world”, something that another man in particular might have something to say about. This is where Hearn believes a huge pot of gold lies.
The man in question of course is ‘The Takeover’, Teofimo Lopez, who was underwhelming last week in defending his WBO world title with a bloodless points decision against Jamaine Ortiz in New York.
Hearn is super-excited about his new stable star, and now keen to match him against the likes of Teofimo in the near future.
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He said: “Listen this kid, as a promoter when you sign a fighter that you could just put into any fight in the world and be confident that he has the ability, the power, the mindset to beat anyone in the division – Subriel can do it.
This is a guy that has unbelievable power, pound for pound one of the most exciting fighters on the planet. He has ice running through his veins, this kid is very special. And we’re gonna put something very special on for him in a couple of months time, news of that coming very soon.
“I want him to fight all the big fights at 140lbs. Obviously, you’ve got the winner of Devin Haney againt Ryan Garcia. Oh man, just give me Teofimo Lopez for Subriel Matias – please, please, if you’re watching this Teofimo Lopez, please fight Subriel Matias, oh it will make me smile. So there’s a lot of big fun nights ahead for him.”
Hearn packed with talent at 140lbs
Hearn’s stable was incredibly strong already at 140lbs, but he believes the signing of Matias on that multi-fight deal takes things to a whole new level.
“Everybody knows how deep we are at 140. But it’s okay being deep, but you need the champions, the big names, as well. So obviously we’ve worked with Devin Haney and we’re involved with the Garcia fight. Now we have another champion at 140.
“So all of those guys that are coming through: Richardson Hitchins, he’s in a final eliminator for Subriel Matias; Liam Paro, he could be a potential opponent for Subriel Matias in May; you’ve got Dalton Smith fighting Zepeda, he’s gonna be right up there with the WBC. We’ve got other 140 fighters as well that are knocking on the door. So for me, it’s great having the contenders, but it’s great to have the champions as well.
“I hope that will all the promoters apparently coming together at the moment, we have got the champion that will give you a fight of the year every time. So as I said about Teofimo, if Top Rank want to come out to play with Subriel Matias, yes please. If Rolly [Romero] beats Isaac Cruz, oh yes please. Devin Haney/Ryan Garcia winner, yes please.
“I’ll put this kid in with anyone, he’s special.”
