Puerto Rican IBF super lightweight champion Subriel Matias has signed a multi-fight deal with Matchroom Boxing according to the British promotional outfit itself. Matias had previously been associated with Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) but has chosen a different company to continue his career with for the time being, with a fight against Australian contender Liam Paro―who is also signed to Matchroom―already being in the works according to the latest reports.
Subriel Matias’ (20-1, 20 KO’s) signing to Matchroom will reportedly last for several fights and has been confirmed to be a co-promotional deal with Matchroom that will see him fighting under their banner. The signing appears to be based on the fact that most of the top-rated champions or contenders in the super lightweight/junior welterweight division seem to be signed to either Matchroom or Golden Boy Promotions―two promotional outfits who currently broadcast their fights on the global streaming service of DAZN.
Due to their ties to DAZN and other promotions signed to the broadcaster, Matias will be benefitting from an array of fighters he can face, and he follows a similar trend as to other super lightweights who have gone on to associate themselves with DAZN through either of the aforementioned promotions.
While Subriel Matias is known as arguably the most dangerous puncher in the division due to his 100% KO ratio, the Puerto Rican champion’s resume has been devoid of any big names that could catapult him into stardom and see him emerge as a pound-for-pound candidate to seal his legacy. His move to Matchroom appears to be an attempt to correct the underwhelming marketing that has surrounded him.
This signing will allow him the opportunity to showcase his skills. The likes of WBC super lightweight champion Devin Haney (31-0, 15 KO’s)―who fought for Matchroom in his last fight―and the previously-mentioned Liam Paro (24-0, 15 KO’s) can be on the list of opponents Matias might face next.
The co-promotional deal involves a smaller promotion by the name of Fresh Productions to which Matias is also signed to. The deal shows a significant trend that appears to be occurring within the sport with several smaller promotions opting to sign co-promotional deals with bigger promoters to allow their fighters the opportunity to resume their professional boxing careers under more exposure.
The main drawback of these collaborations do appear to affect the smaller promotions as their fighters will be mainly associated with the main promotional outfit, but the benefits to the fighter cannot be more understated as they gain access to a wide pool of fighters and the opportunity to draw in more fans―and thereby more interest in their fights―through the co-promotional deals they sign.
The last fighter to have been involved in such a deal with Matchroom was Jai Opetaia (24-0, 19 KO’s) who inked a co-promotional deal with the British-based promotional outfit alongside his original promoter, Tasman Fighters.
