Subriel Matias, the crowd pleaser from Puerto Rico, will be returning to defend his IBF super-lightweight title against Australia’s Liam Paro on June 15.
Last month, the 31-year-old signed a multi-fight co-promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing, adding more depth to Eddie Hearn’s stable in the 140lbs division.
The title fight between Matias and Paro is set to take place at the Coliseo Juan Aubin Cruz Abreu in Manati. This will be Matias’ second title defence since winning the belt in February 2023 against Jeremias Nicolas Ponce, who retired after five rounds. In his mandatory defence nine months later, Uzbeki Shohjahon Ergashev also retired in the sixth round.
“I am incredibly excited to defend the title in front of my people, who know the hard work we put in to get it,” said Matías, who holds a record of 20-1 with 20 knockouts, in a Matchroom press release.
Paro, with a record of 24-0 and 15 knockouts, is also part of Matchroom’s talented super-lightweight group after signing a promotional deal in 2021. He is yet to be defeated and scored a significant win by knocking out Montana Love in six rounds in his last fight.
“I have been waiting for this opportunity my whole life,” said Paro. “I am ready to face the boogeyman in his own backyard.”