QUOTES AND IMAGES FROM THE FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE FOR SUBRIEL MATIAS VS. LIAM PARO
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Eddie Hearn
“I cannot tell you how excited we are to be here. We’ve been in many places around the globe to host fight nights, and this is our first ever show in Puerto Rico and what a night we have got ahead of us.
“The IBF World Junior-Welterweight champion, the homecoming hero Subriel Matias, against Australia’s Liam Paro and an incredible undercard too.
“I want to thank our partners in this event, Juan Orengo from Fresh Productions who has brought together an incredible night with a 10,000 sold out crowd in Manati, the atmosphere will be red-hot for those taking part and it’s a huge opportunity for some of the rising stars on the bill.
Subriel Matias defends his IBF World Junior-Welterweight title against Liam Paro
“I want to thank my team, my manager and my promoter, Eddie Hearn, for accepting to do business with me. I’m delighted to be here because the last time I was here was 2019 and I wasn’t champion, but this time I am and it’s going to be interesting.
“I want to say something to Liam Paro – i am very happy and ready, because accepted the challenge to fight me in my house, my town. People say that I am avoided, but he accepted the challenge, and I am happy for this because on Saturday night, two warriors will put on a show in Puerto Rico.
“I don’t think that this will go 12 rounds, everything he is showing me tells me this won’t go 12 rounds. He’s going to come to box, but he obviously wants to take that title away from me, and I want to take his undefeated record from him.”
Jacob Najar, trainer of Subriel Matias
“We know that this is a good fight, a dangerous fight for Subriel, just as it is for Liam Paro. It’s exciting to be here in Puerto Rico in front of Subriel’s fans, with all his people here in his hometown. I know what we did in camp, we’ve done everything correctly and there’s no excuses, and on Saturday night Subriel will be victorious, and his belt will remain here in Puerto Rico.
“You have to work the mindset of a fighter to have him know that he is on the one in the ring. You want to please the fans, but at the end of the day, he’s the one that is in there fighting. We have to keep him calm, and we kept reminding him in camp that we’re not going to pay attention to the cheering and clapping, and he’s a professional, he’s a veteran of 21 pro fights and he’s fought in Puerto Rico ten times before. We expect to see the same Subriel come out, the warrior, the attacker, the animal in the ring.”
Liam Paro challenges Subriel Matias for the IBF World Junior-Welterweight title
“Fighters fight. I stick by that. I want to thank Matchroom for this opportunity and much respect to Subriel and to Puerto Rico.
“He’s a tremendous champion and his record speaks for itself. It’s a World title at the end of the day and as a young kid, that’s what you dream about. Nothing in life comes easy and I am taking the biggest test not only for the title but with the best fighter in the division at the moment, so it’s a no-brainer for me. I’ll fight anyone and I am proving that, by coming into the Lion’s Den in Puerto Rico to take on the champion.
“We’re proud Aussies and God willing, we get the job done on Saturday.”
Alfie Di Carlo, trainer of Liam Paro
“We’ve had wonderful preparation for this fight. We had a solid camp in Australia and then finishing in Fort Lauderdale for six weeks. I don’t have to ask Liam too many questions, I knew he would accept the fight. He’s a fighter and he’s got the heart of a lion, and come fight night, he’s going to give it his all.
“We’re very confident, the preparation has been amazing, and I know what Liam can do. We have full respect for Subriel, he’s an unbelievable champion, but I just think that Liam is going to have the goods on Saturday night.
“I don’t think the occasion is going to get to Liam. He’s fought in front of 19,000 people in December and had all that pressure that comes with fighting at home when he fought Brock Jarvis in a big event. I know Liam is ready and on Saturday, he’ll walk out and get the job done.”
Juan Orengo, Fresh Productions
“It’s going to be an historic event for Puerto Rico, for myself and for Subriel. We have a full stadium on Saturday night, the eyes of the world will be on Puerto Rico and I hope that this is the first of many World-class events that come to Puerto Rico.”
Angel Fierro faces Alfredo Santiago for the WBO NABO Jr. Welterweight title
“Thank you Eddie Hearn and Kevin Rooney for the opportunity, we’re ready to be champions on Saturday. Alfredo has my respect, but you know that whenever I enter a boxing ring it’s war, and this fight on Saturday will be no exception.”
Alfredo Santiago faces Angel Fierro for the WBO NABO Jr. Welterweight title
“I thank God for allowing me to be here and to my team who support me. We’re really well prepared, we’ve had a tough camp but we’re ready to show who Alfredo Santiago is.”
Yankiel Rivera faces Victor Sandoval for the WBC and WBA Continental Americas and WBO Intercontinental Flyweight titles
“I am so happy to be fighting in my country. I faced a tough test with a great opponent in February, but on Saturday, there is no doubt that it will be a Puerto Rico versus Mexico war. I am facing a great opponent, he has a lot of experience, but my team and I want the opportunity to fight for a World title and if we win, that opportunity will be there. But first, I have to get through the test of Victor Sandoval on Saturday.”
Victor Sandoval faces Yankiel Rivera for the WBC and WBA Continental Americas and WBO Intercontinental Flyweight titles
“This is going to be a war, a battle, and we’re completely ready for this. We have had a great camp and we’re mentally and physically prepared. I had a big fight in my last fight and I feel that fight was robbed from me, so now we’re completely ready to go into this fight and the belt will be going home to Tijuana.”
Stephanie Piniero faces Diana Tapia for the WBA Continental Americas and WBO International Welterweight titles
“Thank you to Eddie Hearn, Kevin Rooney and Matchroom. I’ve been waiting a long time to sign with a promotional team like this, and it was a dream to sign with Matchroom. I wanted to go on and have big things for the future, and I am delighted to be fighting in front of my people and being part of the Matchroom team. All I can say is sorry Diana, but those two titles will be staying in Puerto Rico.”
Diana Tapia faces Stephanie Piniero for the WBA Continental Americas and WBO International Welterweight titles
“I want to thank Matchroom for the opportunity. I have been preparing for a long time for this fight. I know that there are no easy fights in boxing, but I am ready to take this opportunity and I am looking forward to taking the belts home to Mexicali.
William Ortiz faces Carlos Mitzael over six rounds at Super-Lightweight
“I want to thank Matchroom, DAZN and Fresh Productions for believing in me. I’ve been waiting for a very long time for this fight, so I am 100 per cent ready and really anxious to get in the ring, and my opponent is going to pay the consequences for that. I am sorry to say that, but somebody has to pay.”
Carlos Mitzael faces William Ortiz over six rounds at Super-Lightweight
“William is a great boxer, he’s unbeaten, so I want to thank him for giving me this opportunity for this fight.”
PARO: I’M FOCUSED ON MATIAS… BUT I KNOW THERE ARE MEGA FIGHTS OUT THERE
Aussie challenger knows landing IBF crown in Puerto Rico sets up blockbuster battles
Liam Paro insists he is not looking beyond Subriel Matias as he prepares to challenge the hometown hero for his IBF World Junior-Welterweight title at Coliseo Juan Aubin Cruz Abreu in Manati, Puerto Rico on Saturday night, live worldwide on DAZN – but admits that he knows that he could become a major player in the hottest division if he lands the title.
Paro (24-0 15 KOs) fights for his first World title on Saturday night in Matias’ (20-1 20 KOs) backyard, as tough an assignment there is in the sport with the fearsome champion champing at the bit to get back into action.
The Australian holds no fear though and says that winning the World title the hardest way would make it all the more satisfying – and would pique the interest of some of the biggest names in the sport that operate at 140lbs, like Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia, Teofimo Lopez, and Jack Catterall in facing him.
“We never look past any opponent, we have our target locked on Matias, people get unstuck when they look ahead,” said Paro. “But we know the potential opponents, we know the names in the division that are there, God willing I get the job done. It’s probably the hottest division in boxing right now, the names are endless and if I get the job done, you have the best out there to go at, so I am excited.
“I love being part of this division, there’s big names out there for massive potential fights, I knew that I was at this level and now I have to go and prove it to the world.
“I thought Jack Catterall got the job done against Josh Taylor. He wasn’t as convincing or as one-sided as the first fight, and he should have had the belts first time. I wish him nothing but success and we might cross paths in the future. I want to see the world and I’m getting to do that, hats off to Eddie Hearn that I’m getting these opportunities worldwide, and I’d love to go and win over some UK fans.
“I miss my family and loved ones, but I am away for a reason, I’m here to do a job and give us all a better life, there’s a reason behind it and it’s all going to pay off in the long run. I’m in the crucial part of my life where I can set myself family up for the rest of our lives, so I am just going to keep taking every opportunity with both hands.
“It’s huge, it’s so good for Australian boxing and sport and I’m glad to be a part of it. We’ve always been overlooked by America and the UK, but now we’re not only competing but we’re winning the big fights, we’ve got some World champions and high-level world-rated fighters, so the future is looking bright.”
Matias’ clash with Paro tops a stacked night of action in Puerto Rico, where Angel Fierro faces Alfredo Santiago for the WBO NABO Jr. Welterweight title and Yankiel Rivera meets Victor Sandoval for the WBC and WBA Continental Americas and WBO Intercontinental Flyweight titles – and new Puerto Rico signings Stephanie Piñeiro and William Ortiz continue their pro journeys.
MATIAS: I’M AN ANIMAL – AND PARO IS MY PREY
IBF King ready to pounce on Aussie in homecoming defense on Saturday
Subriel Matias says training camp turns him into an animal – and Liam Paro is his prey as the pair meet for Matias’ IBF World Junior-Welterweight title at Coliseo Juan Aubin Cruz Abreu in Manati, Puerto Rico on Saturday night, live worldwide on DAZN.
Matias (20-1 20 KOs) makes the second defense of his title in his first fight on home turf since November 2019, and the 32 year old is itching to get his hands on Paro and put on a show for his adoring fans.
Paro (24-0 15 KOs) fights for his first World title on Saturday night and does so in the toughest of circumstances – on the doorstep of one of the most avoided fighters on the planet. For Matias, Saturday night is his time to be let off the leash, not just after a long training camp, but also for the first time in a ring in Puerto Rico for 1660 days – and he believes a savage performance is incoming to prove that he’s the top dog at 140lbs.
“During camp I feel like an animal trapped in a cage,” said Matias. “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 should 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.
“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.”
Matias’ clash with Paro tops a stacked night of action in Puerto Rico, where Angel Fierro faces Alfredo Santiago for the WBO NABO Jr. Welterweight title and Yankiel Rivera meets Victor Sandoval for the WBC and WBA Continental Americas and WBO Intercontinental Flyweight titles – and new Puerto Rico signings Stephanie Piñeiro and William Ortiz continue their pro journeys.
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