IBF Orders Clash Between Subriel Matias and Shohjahon Ergashev
It’s a strong likelihood that the first defense for reigning IBF junior welterweight champion Subriel Matias will be against top contender Shohjahon “Descendant of Tamerlane” Ergashev (23-0, 20 KOs). This comes following news that the IBF has officially ordered them to fight.
Word on the street is that representatives for Matias and Ergashev have been in talks and are optimistic a deal will be reached. In May 2023, 3kingsboxing.com reported Ergashev was in talks with the IBF about the possibility of facing Matias.
Matias captured the IBF belt with a fifth-round stoppage over previously unbeaten Jeremias Ponce on February 25. Ergashev is ranked third by the IBF and fourth by the WBO at 140 pounds. His last outing was in August of 2022, when scored a fifth-round stoppage over Angel Martinez Hernandez.
THEY SHARE A LOT IN COMMON
The IBF champion may be the biggest puncher in the junior welterweight division. The 30-year-old from Fajardo, Puerto Rico is a pressure fighter who wants to punish his foes with every punch.
Ergashev was born and raised in Uzbekistan but now lives and trains in Detroit, Michigan. He is trained by the highly-respected Javan “SugarHill” Stewart. Fighting as a lefty, Ergashev has a style that may remind some of former IBF lightweight champion Orzubek “Gussie” Navarov. Descendant of Tamerlane packs plenty of power in both hands and has a mean streak. But he also has very competent boxing skills.
Matias vs Ergashev has the potential to be quite an exciting battle. Stay tuned to 3kingsboxing.com for more details on a date and location.
