Salita Promotions and Fresh Productions announced an IBF junior welterweight eliminator set for Saturday, March 1st, live on DAZN. The charismatic Puerto Rican knockout specialist Subriel Matías (21-2, 21 KOs) will face Mexico’s Gabriel Valenzuela (30-3, 17 KOs) in Matias’ hometown of Fajardo, Puerto Rico. The winner of the bout will be the mandatory challenger to reigning IBF champ, Richardson Hitchins. An ex-champ, Matias (pictured), through a co-promotion deal with Juan Orengo’s Fresh Productions, is now aligned with the fighter-turned-promoter Dmitriy Salita. The March 1st event is expected to be the first of a series of events to be produced by this joint venture between Salita Promotions and Fresh Productions, one of the leading promotional companies in Puerto Rico. Tickets for the event at Coliseo Tomás Dones Hernández, Fajardo, Puerto Rico went on sale today and can be purchased at www.ticketera.com.
“Subriel Matías embodies the Puerto Rican fighting spirit and is simply a can’t-miss fighter every time he steps into the ring,” said Salita. “Among the most dangerous active fighters of today, Matías will have the opportunity to replant his flag atop the star-studded junior welterweight division. With the reigning champions and several other stars fighting in and around 140 pounds, there is no shortage of huge matchups waiting for Matías when he comes out on top in his homecoming event.”
“We are excited to bring this great fight to Subriel’s hometown of Fajardo,” said Juan Orengo of Fresh Productions. “It will be an unforgettable night for Puerto Rican boxing and for all the fans who have closely followed Subriel’s career. We appreciate DAZN, Salita Promotions, and everyone involved for making this event possible.”
“Fighting in my hometown, in front of my people, is an honor and an extra motivation,” said Matias. “I know Valenzuela will come prepared, but I’m ready to prove why I deserve another shot at the title. On March 1st, Fajardo will witness a great battle.”
The 32-year-old former IBF junior welterweight champion, Matías started his professional career in 2015 when he made his debut against Juan Rojas and won the fight via first-round TKO. Since then, he has amassed 21 victories, all by stoppage. Matías is widely regarded as one of the most prolific finishers in boxing. In June 2022, Matías faced Jeremias Ponce for the vacant IBF title. Emerging victorious via fifth round stoppage, Matías defended his title once against Shohjahon Ergashev before losing the title via decision to Liam Paro last June.
Following the loss, Matias went right back to work and, in November, returned to the win column with a second-round stoppage of Mexico’s Roberto Ramirez. With another win on March 1st, Matías will earn his second shot at the title.
Facing Matías will be a surging, confident 30-year-old Valenzuela. On the strength of five straight victories, Valenzuela boasts 17 knockouts in 30 wins. Originally scheduled to face each other in November 2024, Valenzuela will compete for the first time in Matías’ home country of Puerto Rico. Currently ranked No. 4 in the IBF junior welterweight division (Matias is No. 3) with the top two spots vacant, Valenzuela is confident that he can win on foreign soil and earn his first world title shot against current champion Richardson Hitchins.
“This fight is going to be a classic,” said Valenzuela. “I’m proud to represent my country as I fight to bring another world title back home to Mexico. I want to thank my promoters BXSTRS Promotions and JD Promotions as well as Salita Promotions, and DAZN for this opportunity. ¡Viva México! See you on March 1!”
Matias joins Puerto Rican Olympian Ashleyann Lozada, heavyweights Brandon Moore and Pryce Taylor and French Canadian Carolyn Veyre as exciting new faces on Salita Promotions’ DAZN boxing telecasts in the first quarter of 2025. Fresh Promotions' roster includes Matias, Alfredo “Ojo” Santiago and two-time champion Emmanuel “Manny” Rodríguez, among others.
