Subriel Matias is the retirement specialist! The Puerto Rican boxing sensation acquired his IBF super lightweight belt by defeating Jeremias Ponce in February last year. He followed that with his first title defense against Shohjahon Ergashev in November of the same year. And guess what? Both of those guys retired after the fights, so it was understandable when Keyshawn Davis claimed Matias is the best at the 140 division!
In a recent report, Matchroom Boxing revealed that Subriel Matias has signed a multi-fight deal with them and Fresh Productions. Moreover, he is eyeing a summer defense at home, where everything started for him. However, before the 31-year-old comes back to the ring, here’s why Davis declared him the best in an interview today!
Keyshawn Davis claims Matias is the most avoided fighter
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A user shared the interview with Davis on X (formerly Twitter) earlier today. Davis could not stop singing praises for the super lightweight fighter! When asked to elaborate on his reasoning behind the statement, Davis claimed, “I just feel like he’s a fighter that everybody’s staying away from right now.”
It’s worth mentioning that, as of right now, Devin Haney is arguably the most decorated fighter in the division. However, Davis seems to think Matias is on the same level as Haney! “In this era, everybody wants to be undisputed, right? [But only] when the belt is easy to get. When you got guys like him or guys like Teo or whatever Devin that have [the] belts, people [are] good floating around those belts,” said Davis.
Keshawn Davis says Subriel Matias is the best champion at 140lbs because the others are scared of him. Keshawn said Devin Haney/Teo ONLY care about undisputed when the belts are easy to get.
This would explain why Matias wasn't offered a unification from Matchroom or Top Rank👀 pic.twitter.com/k3qQxeusoM
— NUKE 🥊 (@NukeUndisputed) February 20, 2024
He later roped in George Kambosos Jr. to justify his statement, claiming, “When Kambosos had [the] belts, how many peoples calling Kambosos out?” However, it’s worth mentioning that Kambosos Jr. defeated Teofimo Lopez, whom Davis counts among the elites in the super lightweight division. That said, people could soon see Matias opposite one of the names Davis mentioned in his statements in the interview.
Eddie Hearn wants Subriel Matias vs “?”
A while back, Teofimo Lopez appeared in an interview with The Porter Way Podcast, claiming it wouldn’t take much effort for him to defeat Matias if they fight. Lopez even emphasized that it wouldn’t take him more than four rounds to do it! So, responding to Lopez’s statement during the podcast, Eddie Hearn urged for a clash!
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While appearing in a recent interview with his Matchroom Boxing, Hearn stated, “I want him [Lopez] to fight all the big fighters at 140 lbs. Obviously, you’ve got the winner of Haney against Garcia. Just give me Teofimo Lopez for Subriel Matias, please.” He also added, “If you’re watching this, Teofimo Lopez, please fight Subriel Matias. It will make me smile.”
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While it’s highly debatable that Subriel Matais is the “best in 140 division,” nobody can deny that Matias seems like a force to be reckoned with. However, the statement from Keyshawn Davis can only be proven true when Matias defeats the majority of the super lightweight division. Do you agree with Davis? Who do you think is the best at 140?
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