Malik Hawkins Ready To Make A Statement Against Subrial Matias
Malik Hawkins (18-0, 11 KOs) is a junior welterweight worthy of keeping an eye on. Under the tutelage of trainer Calvin Ford and guided outside of the ring by TMT boss Floyd Mayweather Jr, the 24-year-old from Baltimore has been getting better and better with each fight. However, he is now reaching a point in his career where it is time to take the next step.
He will next step into the ring to face Subrial Matias (15-1, 15 KOs) on October 24 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut.
They were originally scheduled to fight October 10 on the undercard of a World IBF “Interim” Welterweight bout between Sergey Lipinets (16-1, 12 KOs) and Kudratillo Abdukakhorov (17-0, 9 KOs). However, the entire card was pushed back two weeks because of a delay in Abdukakhorov receiving his visa.
Based on his resume, Matias will be the toughest opponent of Hawkins’ career. The 27-year-old from Fajardo, Puerto Rico is dangerous with a well-earned reputation as a puncher. Many fight fans remember him from his stoppage win over Maxim Dadashev (13-1, 11 KOs) on July 19, 2019.
The bout turned out to be a tragic event. On July 23, Dadashev passed away as a result of injuries suffered during the fight.
PUTTING EVERYONE ON NOTICE
Hawkins knows what he is up against in Matias. But during an interview with 3KingsBoxing, he let it be known what he feels not only about his opponent, but everybody else in the division.
“All I know is I run 140. I run 140; I’m the big bully of the 140-pound division. I’m just going to get in there and show it.”
Well, you can not say that Hawkins lacks confidence. Tall for the division at 6’0” with skills and power, the potential is surely there. Based on his brash talk alone, there will be plenty of interest when he steps in the ring against the hard-hitting Puerto Rican.
For the B-More resident who calls himself “Iceman”, Matias is the kind of opponent to show that he is indeed the goods.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
Interview Conducted By: Garrisson Bland
