Subriel Matías


Subriel Ahmed Matías Matthew is a Puerto Rican professional boxer. He is a two-time super-lightweight champion, having held the WBC title from 2025 to 2026, and previously the IBF title from 2023 to 2024.

Professional career

Early career

Matías made his professional debut against Juan Rojas on December 19, 2015. He won the fight by a first-round technical knockout. Matías amassed an 8–0 record before taking the first step up of his career on August 18, 2018, as he faced Colombian veteran Breidis Prescott. He won the fight by a third-round technical knockout. Prescott was twice knocked down in the third round, with a left hook and an uppercut, before retiring from the bout.
Matías faced the journeyman Wilberth López in a stay-busy fight on March 2, 2019. He won the fight by a sixth-round technical knockout. Matías would then face the undefeated Maxim Dadashev in an IBF junior welterweight title eliminator on July 19, 2019. Dadashev retired from the fight at the end of the eleventh round. He suffered a severe brain injury during the bout and passed away a few days later.
Matías faced Petros Ananyan on February 22, 2020, on the undercard of Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury II. Despite entering the fight as a sizable favorite, he lost the fight by a close unanimous decision. Matías was staggered back to the ropes late in the seventh round, which referee Roberty Byrd ruled a knockdown. This proved to be the pivotal moment of the contest, as two of the judges scored the bout 95–94 for Ananyan, while the third judge gave his opponent a slightly wider scorecard of 96–93.

Rise up the ranks

Matías faced the undefeated Malik Hawkins on October 24, 2020. He won the fight by a seventh-round technical knockout. The contest was stopped a second into the round, on the advice of the ringside physician, who was previously called to check the injuries on Hawkins' face in the fifth round. All three judges had Matías up 59–54 at the time of the stoppage.
Matías faced Batyrzhan Jukembayev in an IBF junior welterweight title eliminator on May 29, 2021. Jukembayev retired from the fight at the end of the eighth round. Matías had knocked him down with a left hook in the fourth round and was up 77–74, 77–74 and 76–75 on the scorecards by the end of the final round.
Matías faced Petros Ananyan on January 22, 2022. The pair previously fought on February 22, 2020, when Ananyan was able to win by a narrow unanimous decision. He was unable to replicate his earlier success however, as he was forced to retire at the end of the tenth round, after he was knocked down with a left hook in the previous round. Matías was up 89–81 on two of the judges' scorecards at the time of the stoppage and 88–82 on the last one.

IBF super-lightweight champion

Matías vs. Ponce

On June 3, 2022, the IBF ordered Matías to face Jeremias Ponce for the interim IBF super-lightweight title. On July 7, the sanctioning body instead ordered the unified super-lightweight champion Josh Taylor to make a mandatory title defense against Ponce. Taylor refused the fight on August 24 and officially vacated the belt on that same day. The IBF immediately ordered a vacant championship bout between Matías and Ponce. Although the fight was scheduled to take place on October 15, on the undercard of the Deontay Wilder and Robert Helenius Fox Sports pay-per-view, it was postponed as Ponce was unable to secure a visa in time for the fight. The title bout was rescheduled for February 11, 2023, before being postponed to February 25. It took place at the Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota and headlined a Showtime broadcast card. Matías won the fight by a fifth-round stoppage, as Ponce's corner decided to retire their fighter at the end of the round.

Matías vs. Ergashev

On June 16, 2023, it was reported that Matías would make a voluntary title defense against Sergey Lipinets. Twelve days later however, the IBF ordered Matías to make a mandatory defense against the undefeated Shohjahon Ergashev. As the two camps failed to reach an agreement within the allotted negotiation period, a purse bid was scheduled for August 15, although it was later postponed by a week as both sides requested an extension. The promotional rights were eventually won by Premier Boxing Champions, on behalf of Matias, with a bid of $510,000. The fight took place on November 25. Ergashev retired from the bout at the beginning of the sixth round, citing inability to compete due to a leg injury as the reason for his withdrawal from the fight.

Matías vs. Paro

On February 4, 2024 it was reported that Matias would make the second defense of his IBF super lightweight title against Liam Paro in the summer 2024 in Puerto Rico. In February, it was reported that the fight was off, and Elvis Rodriguez was a possible contender. On March 12, it was reported that the fight was back on for June 15, 2024 in Manati, Puerto Rico. On March 27, 2024 the fight against Paro was confirmed for June 15, 2024 in Manati, Puerto Rico. Matias lost the fight by unanimous decision.

WBC super-lightweight champion

Matías vs. Puello

Matías faced Alberto Puello for the WBC super-lightweight title at Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York on July 12, 2025. He won by majority decision with two of the ringside judges scoring the fight 115–113 in his favour, while the third had it a 114–114 draw.

Failed anti-doping test

On November 20, 2025, it was reported that Matías had failed an anti-doping test with the banned substance Ostarine being found in a urine sample he provided to the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association. On December 3, 2025, the WBC ruled the positive test was caused by contaminated supplements and placed Matías on probation for one year including further testing to be paid for by the boxer.

Matías vs. Smith

Matías made the first defense of his title against Dalton Smith at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on January 10, 2026. He was knocked to the canvas in the fifth round and, although he got back to his feet, the referee ruled he was not fit to continue and waved the fight off, giving Smith the win by technical knockout.

Personal life

Matías was raised in Maternillo, a poor seaside fishing community of Fajardo. He received support from his mother, his grandmother Viviana, and people close to the family, such as father figure Julio de Jesús. Matías developed an early interest in motorcycling and he was gifted two, a Harley Davidson and a Vespa. He was involved in criminal activities as a youth, suffering a gunshot wound on August 10, 2012, and serving a 19-month term in prison. Afterwards, Matías took up boxing as a career and signed as a professional in 2015. He credits these experiences with giving him a strong mind, showing him how to deal with adversity and providing the time to find himself and faith. Matías is married to Yachari Benabe, and has three daughters.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
26Loss23–3Dalton SmithTKO5, 2:24Jan 10, 2026Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.Lost WBC light-welterweight title
25Win23–2Alberto PuelloMD12Jul 12, 2025Louis Armstrong Stadium, New York City, Queens, New York, U.S.Won WBC light-welterweight title
24Win22–2Gabriel Gollaz ValenzuelaTKO8, 2:55Mar 1, 2025Coliseo Tomas Dones, Fajardo, Puerto Rico
23Win21–2Roberto RamírezTKO2, 2:16Nov 9, 2024Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, Bayamón, Puerto Rico
22Loss20–2Liam ParoUD12Jun 15, 2024Coliseo Juan Aubin Cruz Abreu, Manatí, Puerto RicoLost IBF light-welterweight title
21Win20–1Shohjahon ErgashevRTD6, 3:00Nov 25, 2023Michelob Ultra Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Retained IBF light-welterweight title
20Win19–1Jeremias PonceRTD5, 3:00Feb 25, 2023Minneapolis Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.Won vacant IBF light-welterweight title
19Win18–1Petros AnanyanRTD9, 3:00Jan 22, 2022Borgata Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
18Win17–1Batyrzhan JukembayevRTD8, 3:00May 29, 2021Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California, U.S.
17Win16–1Malik HawkinsRTD7, 0:01Oct 24, 2020Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut, U.S.
16Loss15–1Petros Ananyan10Feb 22, 2020MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
15Win15–0Jonathan EnizTKO5, 2:59Nov 30, 2019Tomás Coliseo Dones, Fajardo, Puerto Rico
14Win14–0Maxim DadashevRTD11, 3:00Jul 19, 2019MGM National Harbor, Oxon Hill, Maryland, U.S.Dadashev later died of injuries
13Win13–0Wilberth LópezTKO6, 1:52Mar 2, 2019Tomás Coliseo Dones, Fajardo, Puerto Rico
12Win12–0Fernando SaucedoTKO1, 3:00Oct 27, 2018Lakefront Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
11Win11–0Breidis Prescott4, 0:36Aug 18, 2018Parque Pedro Cepeda, Cataño, Puerto Rico
10Win10–0Adrián EstrellaRTD4, 3:00May 19, 2018Parque Pedro Cepeda, Cataño, Puerto Rico
9Win9–0Daulis PrescottTKO3, 0:23Feb 17, 2018Coliseo Ecuestre Municipal, Fajardo, Puerto Rico
8Win8–0Patrick LópezTKO2, 1:42Nov 18, 2017Hotel Jaragua, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
7Win7–0Luis PelayoTKO2, 0:26Aug 5, 2017Coliseo Ecuestre Municipal, Fajardo, Puerto Rico
6Win6–0Abrahan Peralta2, 3:00Jun 25, 2017Hotel Jaragua, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
5Win5–0Joaquim CarneiroTKO3, 2:13Mar 25, 2017Parque Concepción Pérez Alberto, Fajardo, Puerto Rico
4Win4–0Jeffrey FontanezTKO2, 2:48Dec 10, 2016Cosme Beitía Sálamo Coliseum, Cataño, Puerto Rico
3Win3–0Luis RodríguezTKO4, 1:49Sep 9, 2016Cosme Beitía Sálamo Coliseum, Cataño, Puerto Rico
2Win2–0Ramón MeléndezTKO2, 2:59Jul 16, 2016Tomás Dones Coliseum, Fajardo, Puerto Rico
1Win1–0Juan Rojas1, 1:01Dec 19, 2015Tomás Dones Coliseum, Fajardo, Puerto Rico