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The super lightweight division is currently brimming with talent. Teofimo Lopez holds the WBO and Ring Magazine titles, Devin Haney has the WBC title, and Rolando “Rolly” Romero is the WBA champion. While these fighters are recognized as some of the best at 140 pounds, Subriel Matias stands out as the division's boogeyman.
Unlike his championship counterparts, Matias approaches his fights differently. He doesn't aim to outbox opponents like Haney, nor does he seek one-punch knockouts like Romero and Lopez. Instead, Matias prefers to wear down his opponents round after round until they can no longer continue.
With all of his wins coming by way of stoppage, some fans and media members believe that Matias (20-1, 20 KOs) is being avoided by the division's other top fighters. However, Lopez disagrees. He not only questions Matias's skills, but also suggests that compared to the other belt holders, Matias may rank last.
“He can be an IBF world champion but he’s the most softest fighter in the division,” Lopez stated in an interview with Pro Box TV.
As Lopez prepares to defend his titles against Jamaine Ortiz, he is unimpressed by Matias's aggressive fighting style. According to Lopez, Matias lacks the subtle nuances in his game. While effective in breaking the will of his opponents, Lopez (19-1, 13 KOs) doubts that the 31-year-old has the depth in his skill set to trouble him in a potential matchup."