On February 26, in Minneapolis (USA), Puerto Rican Subriel Matias (19-1, 19 KOs) won the vacant IBF light welterweight (up to 63.5 kg) world title, defeating previously unbeaten Argentine Jeremias Ponce (30- 1, 20 KOs), whose corner refused to continue the fight after five rounds.
Shortly thereafter, WBC title holder American Regis Prograis (28-1, 23 KOs) peacefully addressed the newly minted champion, making it clear that he would like to have a unification fight:
“Congratulations, champ. Hope to see you soon.”
However, Matthias’ reaction was far from peaceful.
“Prograis, I’m coming for you,” Subriel warned. “Now I am a world champion and I promise you that I will send you to the hospital. So get ready… Prograis likes to talk a lot about how he hurts opponents, but I have the same mentality. Let’s see who wins, but I want him to know that there are people in this sport even more deranged than him.”
How can you not remember that in 2019, it was in the battle with Mathias that the Russian prospect Maxim Dadashev received fatal injuries …
According to the latest information, Prograis next fight will be against the British ex-challenger Jack Catterall. In any case, the parties are already negotiating.
Regis became a two-time world champion last November, winning the vacant title with an 11th-round knockout over José Zepeda.