On Saturday, March 1, 2025, former IBF Super Lightweight Champion Subriel Matias will reportedly fight Gabriel Valenzuela in Puerto Rico.
Matias enters the ring for the upcoming bout with a record of 21-2, with all wins coming by way of knockout. However, he has had to work through a bit of turmoil in his career as of late. After picking up a win against Shohjahon Ergashev in Las Vegas, Nevada, on the David Benavidez-Demetrius Andrade undercard, he earned a homecoming fight in Puerto Rico. Things quickly turned sour for the homecoming king as Liam Paro earned a unanimous decision victory against Matias and left with his world title. Ultimately, Paro would lose the title to Hitchinson in Puerto Rico months later, but Matias was left to work his way back up the ladder. Most recently, he knocked out Roberto Ramirez in the second round, and now, he has the opportunity to become the mandatory challenger for Hitchinson’s title if he wins in March.
“Fighting in my hometown, in front of my people, is an honor and an extra motivation,” said Matias. “I know Valenzuela will come prepared, but I’m ready to prove why I deserve another shot at the title. On March 1st, Fajardo will witness a great battle.”
In the opposite corner, Gabriel Valenzuela will have the opportunity to position himself in the super lightweight title picture. The 30-year-old Mexican boasts a record of 30-3 with 17 knockouts. Since losing by unanimous decision against Montana Love in 2022, he’s reeled off five straight wins. Now, he’ll travel to Puerto Rico for arguably the biggest fight of his career thus far.
“This fight is going to be a classic,” Valenzuela said. “I’m proud to represent my country as I fight to bring another world title back home to Mexico.”
