Subriel Matias Wants a Fight with Devin Haney
It seems every prominent fighter at 135 and 140 pounds wants to fight reigning lightweight champion Devin “The Dream” Haney (30-0, 15). The latest to express their desire to get Haney in the ring is reigning IBF junior welterweight champion Subriel Matias (19-1, 19 KOs), who is far from impressed with The Dream.
A STINGING INDICTMENT
Haney will move up to 140 and face WBC junior welterweight champion Regis Prograis this fall. Speaking to media outlet FightHype, Matias said he believes Haney comes out on top in a matchup with Prograis.
But that’s where the praise of Haney ended. The IBF 140-pound champion gave a not-too-kind assessment of the reigning lightweight champion.
“I think he got good technical [ability], but he don’t got heart . . . He’s a chicken, he’s running a lot. Devin Haney, I want to fight you. Please give me the opportunity . . . I don’t think he has good power for the pounds [junior welterweight division].”
Haney’s last outing was a unanimous decision victory over three-division champion Vasyl Lomachenko on May 20 in Las Vegas. After spending his entire career at 135, Haney is making the jump up to 140. Matias won the then-vacant IBF belt with a fifth-round stoppage over Jeremias Ponce in February 2023.
BOXER VERSUS PUNCHER
A contest between Matias and Haney would be an interesting one to witness. Haney is known for his boxing skills, fast hands, and quick feet. Though he’s only 24, the resident of Las Vegas, Nevada is mature for his age and has plenty of world championship experience.
Matias is an aggressive fighter with heavy hands. His power was on full display during the win over Ponce. After getting off to a slow start, Matias flipped the switch, beating Ponce up and making him quit.
There’s been no word of a Matias – Haney fight being under consideration. But it’s clear that it’s a fight that Matias wants. Up next for the IBF 140-pound champion is likely a title defense against top contender Shohjahon Ergashev.
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