Subriel Matias believes he will knock out Liam Paro if the two were to rematch, despite suffering a shocking upset loss via unanimous decision to the Australian on Saturday in Puerto Rico, where Paro became the new IBF junior welterweight champion.
Matias (20-2, 20 KOs), 32, suffered his second career defeat in his home country, while the 28-year-old Paro (25-0, 15 KOs) remained unbeaten. Before the bout, Matias was perceived as a feared “boogeyman” and potentially the most avoided fighter in the division. Paro, although relatively unknown, had a high world ranking and was promoted by Matchroom Boxing, with a notable knockout win over Montana Love.
At the post-fight press conference, Matias responded to his disappointing hometown loss.
“If Eddie Hearn says look you need to go to Australia and have a rematch with Liam Paro, what I will do is I will knock out Liam Paro,” said Matias via a translator. “Do something I wasn’t able to do this evening.”
When asked if he had overlooked Paro, given the bickering with former titleholder Regis Prograis during the week and being mentioned among big names like Teofimo Lopez, Matias dismissed the notion.
“No, I don’t believe I overlooked him at all,” said Matias. “I just think he did his work very well.”
Matias took full responsibility for the loss, refusing to make excuses.
“Excuses are for losers, so I am not going to make excuses,” Matias said. “Why am I going to talk about if, buts or maybes? You know what happened, happened.
“My corner can guide me, but they are conscious to the fact that I am quite a volatile fighter at times. Sometimes I might receive shots and then I will up the pace myself. They are my eyes outside the ring, but I am an old head and I do what I believe will work, and on this occasion, it didn’t work.”
Matias expressed the humiliation of losing in his home country, saying, “It is kind of humiliating to lose at home. You’d almost prefer to fight away from home and to have everything against you.”
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