Elvis Rodriguez has opted out of the fight with former IBF light welterweight champion Subriel Matias. Instead, 140-lb contender Rodriguez (17-1-1, 13 KOs) could fight Yomar Alamo (22-3-1, 13 KOs).
Team Rodriguez’s excuse for rejecting the fight with Matias is that he “don’t deserve” it. It’s a strange reason to fight him because Elvis is not a world champion; he is just one of many contenders in the 140-lb division.
There is much more to be gained for Elvis Rodriguez fighting Subriel Matias than Yomar Alamo, who is coming off an eight-round unanimous decision loss to Delante Johnson on September 27th.
However, one positive of the fight against Yomar Alamo is that there is minimal risk of Elvis being knocked out. He is not a puncher like Matias, and Rodriguez’s chances of winning are much higher.
The real reason?
That excuse would be more credible if Rodriguez was fighting one of the A-level contenders at light welterweight, such as Gary Antuanne Russell, Arnold Barboza Jr., or Sandor Martin. Fighting Yomar Alamo gives the impression that Elvis wanted no part in fighting Subriel Matias and seeing their fighter lose again.
Matias (21-2, 21 KOs) would have been a tough fight for the ‘Dominican Kid’ Elvis Rodriguez, so it’s no surprise that his team chose not to take this fight. Rodriguez already fought Kenneth Sims Jr. in 2021. lost, and has been working back ever since.
Elvis, 28, has since won his last six fights, albeit against middle-of-the-road opposition and not the predatory sharks at light welterweight. It would be great if he at least tried to fight one of the dangerous contenders since he lost to Sims years ago.
“No, for Subriel Matias. (He) doesn’t deserve the opportunity,” reports @cesarseda. “Inside Sources Reveal Top Rank Management: Elvis Rodriguez vs. Yomar Alamo.”
Of course, it won’t play well if Team Rodriguez just flat out says they don’t want to take on Matias because he’s too risky.
