On February 25th, 2023, Subriel Matias (19-1, 19 KOs) stopped Jeremias Ponce (30-1, 20 KOs) with a brutal body shot in the fifth round to secure the vacant IBF 140-lb title at The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
From the outset, though, it was Ponce on the front foot, picking off Matias at ease with a combination of body shots. Matias’ susceptible defense became exposed before he rallied back in the second with more output.
As Ponce began to feel the pace and slow down in the third and fourth rounds, Matias stepped on the gas in the fifth.
The Puetorican landed a flurry of punches towards the end of the round that took the wind out of Ponce’s sails. A flush uppercut started the onslaught before a left to the body dropped Ponce to the canvas.
Despite beating the count and riding out the round, the fight was called off once Ponce hit the stool, as his trainer had seen enough.
In truth, this only brought forward the inevitable, as Matias was ahead (48-46) on all the judges’ scorecards before the stoppage.
Post-Fight Comments
“I’m on cloud nine right now. I don’t think I’ve woken up from this dream. Maybe I can tell you how it feels tomorrow, but right now, it’s a dream come true.
“I’m calm because I worked really for ten months in the gym. I came here to win. There was nothing to worry about.
“Regis Prograis, I’m coming for you. I’m the world champion now. I promise that I’m coming to hurt you,” Matias
“In the first round, I came out to try to get him, but he’s a tough fighter, and I knew this fight was going to be a very tough fight. I’m fine. The first thing is I am in great health.
“My corner knows me better than me, and it’s better to take the precaution a minute earlier than a minute late, but I wanted to continue. I thought it was definitely even,” Ponce