\Subriel Matias has been here before.
The former title holder status is a new twist to an otherwise familiar story for the knockout artist from Boricua. An upset loss to Liam Paro on June 15 ruined a Puerto Rico homecoming and ended his IBF 140-pound title.
This weekend begins the next chapter, the next comeback story.
“What had to happen, happened,” said Matias The Ring. “The one who had to win our fight won and as a fighter I took my lesson from that. God works in mysterious ways, and his message was well received.”
Matias (20-2, 20 KOs), The Ring’s No. 6 ranked junior welterweight, returns this Saturday against San Diego’s Roberto Ramirez (26-3-1, 19 KOs). Their scheduled ten-round bout will headline a PPV.com show from Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon, PR
This is the second consecutive fight on the island for Matias, whose loss to Paro (25-0, 15 KOs) was broadcast live on DAZN from Manati. A sell-out crowd packed Coliseo Juan Aubin Cruz for Matias’ first fight at home in almost five years.
The official result was far from the desired outcome.
So was Matias’ decision in February 2020 against Petros Ananyan in Las Vegas.
He learned from that night and won five straight knockouts. Four have come against undefeated opposition, including his fifth-round title winner of Jeremias Ponce last February 25. The other was a stoppage over Ananyan in January 2022 to avenge his lone loss.
The scenarios were somewhat different, in terms of a support system. Matias signed with Premier Boxing Champions just before his loss to Ananyan. He stayed with them for the aforementioned five-fight knockout streak and two wins in IBF title fights.
Matias’ loss to Paro came at the start of a co-promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing. This agreement is no longer in place, as the two parties have already separated.
The original team remains in place.
“I’m still with Fresh Productions,” noted Matias. “The doors are always open to all the promoters. I can fight whoever I want as long as Fresh Productions is involved. It’s the company that made me a world champion.”
Fresh Productions, led by Juan Orengo, headlines Saturday’s Pay-Per-View event. Ironically, it goes head-to-head on a Matchroom show on DAZN with IBF welterweight titleholder Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis (32-0, 29 KOs). RING 115-pound champion Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez (20-0, 13 KOs) defends his crown in the co-main event.
Matias will also be without the services of coach Jacob ‘Panda’ Najar. An amicable split came after Matias’ last fight and before this one, strictly due to logistical terms. Matias trained in Najar’s gym in Mexico, but wanted to be closer to home and his daughters for this fight.
“I have been through several trainers in my career,” Matias theorized. “Each one contributed his (wisdom) to me. Panda and I had four fights together and became world champion. We are still on good terms, Panda and his team are excellent.
“For this fight I wanted to train in PR tomorrow, who knows. Anything can happen.”
For now, all that needs to happen is for Matias to win this weekend.
Ramirez has won three in a row. However, his last loss came in a November 2020 knockout against William Zepeda (31-0, 27 KOs). Matias was a stablemate of The Ring’s no. 3-rated lightweight during his time with Najar.
The odds point to a foregone conclusion this weekend. Some books have Matias as much as a 50/1 betting favorite this weekend.
A bigger challenge may be getting enough people into the sport to pay attention.
Matias is not only the main attraction on Saturday’s show; he is the only one. The $39.95 PPV price tag is ambitious at best. Fewer eyeballs will be on his comeback fight, although massive local support is expected.
This is the part that matters the most, why Matias never loses focus on what is really important.
“To be back in front of my people, I’m happy about how quickly it happened,” Matias noted. “Juan Orengo and Fresh Productions trust me to rise again and become a champion again. It is a privilege.”
