Via Sam Volz: Matchroom’s next big signing could be Subriel Matias, the IBF lightweight champion. It will be a great week for Matchroom if they add the monstrously powerful Matias to their burgeoning cage, as it will give them another champion at 140.
WBC champion Regis Prograis, who signed a triple deal with Eddie Hearn’s advertising agency, said Matchroom is trying to sign Matias (19-1, 19 KOs) and if they succeed, they will set up an internal fusion fighting at 140.
In addition to signing with Prograis, Hearn revealed last Saturday that he has signed a contract with the 2020 Olympic gold medalist. Andy Cruzwho will move in the lightweight and will instantly become one of the top boxers in the 135 lb class.
It makes no sense for Matchroom to immediately remove Prograis and Matias for unification if they succeed in adding the hardcore Puerto Rican knockout artist to their barn. If they keep them moving in separate trajectories for a while, they can build the fight into a big one.
However, with Prograis’ contract being a short three-fight deal with Matchroom, that means the company will need to launch a fight with Matias soon.
Furthermore, Prograis’s age of 34 makes Hearn put him in the best position right away as he won’t be able to maintain his current form much longer unless he ages like Floyd Mayweather Jr.
“We are trying to get Matias. That’s the fight I want. From what I understand, they are trying to get hold of him,” said Regis Prograis Side view about Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing looking to sign IBF lightweight champion Subriel Matias.
Matias, 31, was on the verge of a fifth stoppage-time win over Jeremias Ponce last February in an exciting game. Matias has won his last four games since suffering the only defeat of his career to Petros Ananyan in the decisive 10th round in 2020. Last year, Matias avenged his loss to Ananyan, stopping him in the ninth round. .
“I can make more money in three matches with Matchroom than in four fights with Top Rank.
“Matchroom is about believing in yourself. The first two fights won’t be overrated names; that third could be the Unification of Matias.
“After three battles [with Matchroom]I ran out of deal and I won two belts at 140,” Prograis said.
