Subriel Matias says training camp turns him into an animal – and Liam Paro is his prey as the pair meet for Matias’ IBF World Junior-Welterweight title at Coliseo Juan Aubin Cruz Abreu in Manati, Puerto Rico on Saturday night, live worldwide on DAZN.
Matias (20-1 20 KOs) makes the second defense of his title in his first fight on home turf since November 2019, and the 32-year-old is itching to get his hands on Paro and put on a show for his adoring fans.
Paro (24-0 15 KOs) fights for his first world title on Saturday night and does so in the toughest of circumstances – on the doorstep of one of the most avoided fighters on the planet. For Matias, Saturday night is his time to be let off the leash, not just after a long training camp, but also for the first time in a ring in Puerto Rico for 1660 days – and he believes a savage performance is incoming to prove that he’s the top dog at 140lbs.
“During camp I feel like an animal trapped in a cage,” said Matias. “The confinement, the day-to-day nuisances, being away from my family. This creates a monster that grows inside me during camp. I leave camp as an animal, in search of my prey, and this time, that’s Liam Paro.
“There is no-one in the 140lb division that can beat me. It might should arrogant, but I’ll show you. I trust myself and what I do, and that’s makes me dangerous. My mind is my weapon.
“As far as I know, he’s been knocked down a couple of times. I don’t want to knock him down; I want him to suffer and leave a strong message to the division. I know Liam is strong, he’s brave, he has good technique. But he also has a big mouth.
“I’m preparing myself to take damage, and to inflict damage. They want to take away the beans from my family, and we can’t allow that. We’ve put in a lot of effort to be here, and I cannot lose everything in one day. That’s why I have to make these sacrifices.
“I’m the best in the division at 140lbs. There is no second, third or fourth. I’m everything. I’m one, two three and four. I’m scared, but it’s a fear that I enjoy. I just hope that nerves don’t betray me so I can do what I’ve been doing all these years, satisfy my crowd.
“I’ve been dreaming of this moment since I was a kid. I’ve always said that I see myself unified in the division. Many say I am crazy, but I like it, one day they will open their eyes and i will be unified champion. They will have to give it to me.”
Matias is good and he’s pretty big for the division. But he gets hit a lot and he could be in trouble with someone who can really crack. I don’t think Paro is the one who will beat him though.
I agree. Even a tank can only take so many shells before it cracks. At this point, it doesn’t have to be someone who can really crack. It’s usually the accumulation of shots throughout your career that catch up one day. Matias has taken his share of bombs so far. Regardless, out of everyone in the division, he’s a fighter’s fighter and that’s why I choose him to clean up the division. However, he has to move fast. At 32, time is not on his side.
Matias by TKO, corner stoppage, round 7.
He needs to put his statements to the test by fighting the top dogs in the 140 division then, we’ll see if he was right or wrong!
I see this as a pretty even fight.
hes still untested and this Paro guy is just another home depot worker on his resume after this gimme call one of the other champs then we will see
Matais is beatable, obviously. I saw that fight and was very surprised how easily he was beaten….and not by a big puncher. The big mistake Matais’ opponents have made is coming out too fast and shooting their load between 3 and 6 rounds. That said: I’d be shocked if Paro prevails!