- Subriel Matias will defend his IBF world super lightweight title against Australia’s Liam Paro next
- Matias vs Paro will be a homecoming for the Puerto Rican champion on Sat, June 15 live on DAZN
- Matias vs Paro Undercard features Matchroom’s Puerto Rican stable including Flyweight Yankiel Rivera
Subriel Matías makes a homecoming return to Puerto Rico when he defends his IBF World Jr. Welterweight title against Liam Paro at the Coliseo Juan Aubín Cruz Abreu in Manatí on Saturday, June 15, live worldwide on DAZN.
Matías (20-1 20 KOs) landed the vacant IBF Jr. Welterweight title last February, forcing Jeremias Ponce to retire after five rounds of their clash in Minnesota, and successfully defended his title against mandatory challenger Shohjahon Ergashev in November, forcing another retirement, this time after six rounds in Las Vegas, continuing his incredible record of finishing all of his victories inside the distance.
The 31-year-old puts the title on the line for the second time in a hotly anticipated clash that marks his return to fighting in his homeland for the first time since November 2019, the 12th fight at home and the most important so far for the fearsome puncher who is eager to put on a show and move towards unification battles.
Paro (24-0 15 KOs) is looking to spoil the party and the Australian challenger has no fear in entering enemy territory to do so in his first World title fight. The 27-year-old was at his spiteful best in his last outing, flooring Montana Love twice in a six-round bludgeoning in San Francisco in December.
The unbeaten southpaw was previously ruled out of a first World title fight with Regis Prograis through injury, but now lands the chance to rip the title from one of the most feared champions in the sport, and Paro is champing at the bit for his opportunity
Matias vs Paro Undercard
In classic Mexico vs Puerto Rico rivalries, Angel Fierro faces Alfredo Santiago for the WBO NABO Jr. Welterweight title and Yankiel Rivera meets Victor Sandoval for the WBC and WBA Continental Americas and WBO Intercontinental Flyweight titles. Stephanie Piñeiro and William Ortiz make their Matchroom debuts.
Fierro (22-1-2 17 KOs) tests the waters up at 140lbs and looks to land a belt in his first fight at the weight. The 25-year-old has good memories of fighting in Puerto Rico, where he won his first title with an incredible turnaround KO win over former World champion Alberto Machado – climbing off canvas in the first and second rounds to detonate a left hand in the sixth to win the WBO NABO 135lb belt in a fight he took at late notice.
‘Tashiro’ successfully defended that title four times, most recently in Tijuana in September with a split decision win over Brayan Zamarripa, but now looks to make an impression at 140lbs and aims to do so in impressive fashion.
Santiago (14-2 6 KOs) fights at 140lbs for the second time and returns to action for the first time since landing a first-round TKO win over Karl Dargan in Minneapolis in June 2022.
The Dominican-born, Puerto Rican-based 29-year-old previously challenged Devin Haney for the WBC World Lightweight title, and that’s the level he wants to reach at 140lbs, starting with a big fight with Fierro on June 15.
Rivera (5-0 2 KOs) landed his first titles in his last outing, dominating Andy Dominguez in Orlando to pick up the WBA and WBC Continental Americas Flyweight titles, and on June 15, the Puerto Rican Olympian can add another belt with the WBO Intercontinental also on the line.
Sandoval (37-4 23 KOs) is entering his 42nd fight just shy of his 27th birthday, and the Mexican fights in his third title fight having previously won the WBC Youth Silver Bantamweight and the WBC International Super-Flyweight titles.
Unbeaten Puerto Ricans Piñeiro (6-0 2 KOs) and Ortiz (5-0 4 KOs) announced co-promotional deals with Matchroom in May and are quickly confirmed for the June 15 card.
Piñeiro fights for her first pro titles on the night, taking on Mexico’s Diana Tapia (7-1 2 KOs) for the WBA Continental Americas and WBO International Welterweight titles.
Ortiz fights for the sixth time in the paid ranks and does so over six rounds at Super-Lightweight against fellow Puerto Rican Luis Gonzalez (5-2 4 KOs).
Matias vs Paro Start Time, TV Channel, Ring Walks
Date and Venue: June 15 at the Coliseo Juan Aubin Cruz Abreu, Manati, Puerto Rico
TV Channel: Live on DAZN
Start Time: 8 pm ET (1 am BST)
Ring Walks: 10:30 pm ET (3:30 am BST)
