The vacant IBF super-lightweight title will be on the line when fellow power punchers Subriel Matias and Jeremias Ponce clash at the Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota on February 25. The 12-round bout, plus undercard action, will be broadcast by Showtime in the U.S.
Matias (18-1, 18 KOs) is an established knockout artist from the boxing hotbed of Puerto Rico. The 30-year-old had everything going his own way through 15 fights before being shockingly upset by Russia’s Petros Ananyan in February 2022. However, Matias bounced back in style with three straight wins, including a revenge triumph over Ananyan.
Despite Ponce not being a household name, the Puerto Rican star has shown his opponent plenty of respect during the buildup.
“I think that those are the more dangerous opponents because guys like him are hungry to be known,” Matias told Boxing Scene.com through a translator. “They want to be seen. And I think that it’s gonna be a bloody fight. We both have a reputation for knockouts, so you could expect some heavy hitting.
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“Anything could happen, but I’m confident in my abilities. I know what I can do, but I’m ready to fight one or 12 rounds, regardless of what happens.”
Argentina’s Ponce (30-0, 20 KOs) was a relatively unknown quantity, until he ventured to England and handed the highly touted Lewis Ritson his first stoppage loss. The IBF’s No. 1 challenger is heavy-handed, relentless, and quietly confident of victory in his first world title bout.
“Subriel is an outstanding fighter and I have absolutely nothing bad to say about him,” said Ponce, 26, in a recent interview with Premier Boxing Champions. “One very positive trait that he has is he comes out swinging. That obviously has its other side, which is if you come out swinging, then you leave yourself exposed to a punch or two that might be costly.
“But considering the whole picture, I know that I’m going to be going after a quality opponent in Minneapolis.”
The Sporting News now gives you the lowdown on this power-packed world title bout:
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Why is Subriel Matias vs. Jeremias Ponce a world title fight?
From May 2021 until the middle of last year, Scotsman Josh Taylor had been universally recognised as the undisputed super-lightweight champion of the world.
However, ever since his controversial points triumph over Jack Catterall in Glasgow, Taylor has declined a spate of mandatory assignments, with a view to making a Catterall rematch.
The WBC title has since been picked up by former Taylor opponent Regis Prograis. The Dominic Republic’s Alberto Puello has picked up the WBA version. Matias and Ponce will now vie for the IBF belt.
Taylor still holds WBO and Ring Magazine championships at 140 pounds. For now, injuries have scuppered the Catterall return, and Taylor is now obligated to face WBO mandatory challenger and former unified lightweight champ Teofimo Lopez.
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When is Subriel Matias vs. Jeremias Ponce?
- Date: Saturday, February 25 | Sunday, February 26
- Main card: 9 p.m. ET | 2 a.m. GMT | 1 p.m. AEDT
- Main event: 11 p.m. ET | 4 a.m. GMT | 3 p.m. AEDT (approx.)
Matias vs Ponce takes place on February 25. The main card starts at 9 p.m. ET. Both fighters should make their way to the ring around 11 p.m. ET, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
How to watch Subriel Matias vs. Jeremias Ponce
| Country | Date | Channel + Live Stream (main card) |
| United States | Sat. Feb 25 | Showtime |
| United Kingdom | Sun. Feb 26 | TBA |
| Australia | Sun. Feb 26 | TBA |
In the United States, Matias vs Ponce will be broadcast by Showtime.
Viewers can stream Showtime via Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Roku, Xbox ONE, a laptop, or any mobile or tablet device.
There is no TV information available for the UK, Australia, or the rest of the world.
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Subriel Matias vs. Jeremias Ponce price: How much does the card cost?
In the U.S., this event is available on a Showtime subscription, which is currently priced at $10.99 per month.
Where is Subriel Matias vs. Jeremias Ponce?
Matias vs Ponce takes place at The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota. That venue can hold up to 8,400 people.
Betting odds for Subriel Matias vs. Jeremias Ponce
Per BetMGM, Matias is the -400 favourite, while Ponce is the +300 underdog.
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In Canada, per Sports Interaction, Matias is the -455 favourite, while Ponce is the +300 underdog
Subriel Matias record and bio
- Nationality: Puerto Rican
- Born: March 31, 1992
- Height: 5-8
- Reach: 72 inches
- Total fights: 19
- Record: 18-1 with 18 wins via knockout
Jeremias Ponce record and bio
- Nationality: Argentinian
- Born: July 3, 1996
- Height: 5-11
- Reach: N/A
- Total fights: 30
- Record: 30-0 with 20 wins via knockout
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Subriel Matias vs. Jeremias Ponce fight card
- Subriel Matias vs.. Jeremias Ponce for the vacant IBF super-lightweight title
- Elvis Rodriguez vs. Joseph Adorno, super-lightweights
- Jamal James vs. Alberto Palmetta, welterweights
- Kudratillo Abdukakhorov vs. Ve Shawn Owens, welterweights
- Derrick Jackson vs. Willie Jones, welterweights
- Jonathan Marcano vs. Eduardo Guedes Diogo, bantamweights
- Kel Spencer vs. Margarito Hernandez, welterweights
- Breeon Carothers vs. Kevin Schmidt, lightweights
