The IBF has ordered #5 Subriel Matias and #6 Gabriel Valenzuela to begin negotiations for a light welterweight title eliminator to decide the #1 contender to challenge new 140-lb champion Richardson Hitchins for his belt.
IBF Orders Eliminator
Matias, 32, has an excellent chance to put himself back in a world title fight to regain his old IBF belt which he lost a year ago, a 12-round unanimous decision loss to Liam Paro on June 15.
It’s a tall order for Valenzuela to defeat Matias because he’s an excellent puncher, and he’ll put pressure on him non-stop. Gabriel will likely follow Paro’s blueprint by using movement, excellent grappling, shoving and other roughhouse tactics to try and win.
Elvis Rodriguez chose not to fight Matias (21-2, 21 KOs). Otherwise, he would have faced the former IBF light welterweight champion in the title eliminator. This is his loss as he is expected to fight Yomar Alamo next.
Jake Donovan is reporting the IBF orders the Matias-Valenzuela negotiations.
Gabriel Valenzuela (30-3-1, 17 KOs) has won his last five fights since losing to Montana Love via a close 12-round unanimous decision in Las Vegas on May 7, 2022. Valenzuela’s other two losses have come against William Zepeda and Luis Hernandez Ramos.
