Subriel Matias has revealed exactly how he plans on inflicting damage on Liam Paro when they meet for the IBF super-lightweight title this weekend.
Matias returns to his homeland of Puerto Rico to make the second defence of his title, having won the vacant belt against Jeremias Ponce in February 2023 before then defeating Shohjahon Ergashev last time out in November.
Standing in his way is Paro, the undefeated Australian challenger who has already had plenty to say this week after revealing how he plans to approach the bout.
Matias has now hit back at those comments, and insists that he will make Paro pay for his ‘big mouth’ when they are in the ring on Saturday.
“During camp I feel like an animal trapped in a cage. The confinement, the day-to-day nuisances, being away from my family. This creates a monster that grows inside me during camp. I leave camp as an animal, in search of my prey, and this time, that’s Liam Paro.
“There is no-one in the 140lb division that can beat me. It might sound arrogant, but I’ll show you. I trust myself and what I do, and that’s makes me dangerous. My mind is my weapon.
“As far as I know, he’s been knocked down a couple of times. I don’t want to knock him down; I want him to suffer and leave a strong message to the division. I know Liam is strong, he’s brave, he has good technique. But he also has a big mouth.
“I’m preparing myself to take damage, and to inflict damage. They want to take away the beans from my family, and we can’t allow that. We’ve put in a lot of effort to be here, and I cannot lose everything in one day. That’s why I have to make these sacrifices.”
Matias has also reflected on the rest of the super-lightweight division, and revealed that after this weekend he aims to go in search of more belts.
“I’m the best in the division at 140lbs. There is no second, third or fourth. I’m everything. I’m one, two three and four. I’m scared, but it’s a fear that I enjoy. I just hope that nerves don’t betray me so I can do what I’ve been doing all these years, satisfy my crowd.
“I’ve been dreaming of this moment since I was a kid. I’ve always said that I see myself unified in the division. Many say I am crazy, but I like it, one day they will open their eyes and I will be unified champion. They will have to give it to me.”
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