LAS VEGAS – While most of the boxing world’s eyes were fixated on the Gervonta Davis-Frank Martin showdown that took place on Saturday night on the Las Vegas Strip, there was also a super-lightweight title fight in Manati, Puerto Rico.
Subriel Matias entered the DAZN-streamed fight a massive favorite but left the ring without his IBF title when he was outboxed by Australia’s Liam Paro.
The homecoming fight was Matias’ first in his native Puerto Rico since 2019. It was also his first fight under his new promotional agreement with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom.
Michel “La Zarza Ali” Rivera was in contention to fight Matias prior to Paro doing so, and he has therefore since turned his attention to the new champion.
“Matias has a big mouth,” Rivera told BoxingScene. “He talked too much and was overconfident. He overlooked Paro and you saw what happened. Matias isn’t the boogie man they make him out to be. He is very predictable and it showed.”
Rivera, who recently signed with Salita Promotions, hopes to fight Paro next and wouldn’t have any problems facing him in his home country.
“I would love to face Paro,” he said. “It doesn’t matter where the fight takes place. I would fight in the United States, Australia, or anywhere else. I know I have what it takes to outbox him and beat him.”
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