Hearn Praises Knockout Artist Subriel Matias – ‘He’s Special’
Eddie Hearn has talked up Subriel Matias after signing the IBF Junior Welterweight Champion.
Matias is one of the most exciting fighters in the division, with a record of 20-1. Despite having a defeat on his record, all his wins have come by way of knockout. That has made him one of the most avoided fighters in the division. His last bout was a stoppage victory over Shohjahon Ergashev.
The win has kept him on course for some big fights in the division. He has been linked with Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez. Team Haney alleged Matias had rejected an offer to face them after pricing himself out. Matias was also in talks to fight Lopez in February, but talks broke down after his hand injury. But now that Hearn has signed him, he expects the champion to be involved in some big fights.
Hearn On Matias
“Everybody knows how deep we are at 140, but you need the champions. You need the big names. He’s going to be right up there. With all the promoters coming together, we’ve got a champion, Matias, who will give you a great time every time. As I said about Teofimo. If Top Rank wants to come out and play with Subriel Matias, yes, please. If Rolly beats Isaac Cruz, yes, please. Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia winner, yes, please. I’ll put this kid in with anyone. He’s special,” Hearn said
Matias could face Haney or Ryan Garcia in an immediate fight. Those two boxers will meet on April 20. Since they both fight with DAZN, it removes the obstacles of any network involved. Haney has already spoken about wanting to make the biggest fights rather than chasing legacy, as a Matias bout would sell.
If Garcia were to lose to Haney, a Matias fight could still make sense since he is searching for his first-world title. Although that may be the case, if that fight cannot be made, then Matias will need another promoter to come on board to make a big bout.
Matias On Lopez
Teofimo Lopez, the other big name, currently fights with Top Rank. He has just come off a win over Jamaine Ortiz, with some in the boxing community believing he came up short. His main focus has been on trying to get a Terence Crawford fight, but that appears unlikely. Matias has previously accused Lopez of ducking him.
“He’s a coward. He says that he’s offered to fight me and he knows the reason why he made that offer is because I recently fought and I won’t be ready and prepared for that fight. If he’s a man of his word, then he will take the fight with me. And a message for his dad, stop talking so much s**t. If he wants to fight me, he can fight me. There’s dates there, there’s April, March, if he wants to face me, stop being a coward. Stop talking s**t and make sure that he’ll face me,” Matias said
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