Subriel Matias vs Teofimo Lopez Happening in 2024?
A major unification could be happening in the junior welterweight division. IBF champion Subriel “El Orgullo de Maternillo” Matias (20-1, 20KO) posted a cryptic message aimed at WBO champion “The Takeover” Teofimo Lopez (19-1, 13KO) on social media.
“@teofimolopez, already know you accepted the fight, perfect, just one detail. Do not take the date of February. Let’s make it happen at the end of March or beginning of April. Let’s give our fans what they want to see. Aim for your 2nd defeat and first defeat to NoMas’Tias.”
Matias made a statement in his last fight by stopping undefeated challenger Shohjahon Ergashev within six rounds. What made the victory even more impressive was his opponent quitting on the stool.
THE CALL-OUT THAT MAY HAVE SPARKED A UNIFICATION
Following the victory, El Orgullo de Maternillo immediately called out some of the other names in the division, with Lopez’s name atop the list. The boxing community wondered which of the top guys would accept the challenge, as the Puerto Rican has proven to be a problem.
During an interview on The Porter Way Podcast, The Takeover gave an opinion on what could happen if they were to clash in the ring.
“You can’t say he’s a nobody. He’s the IBF world champion and in my division . . . He’ll probably go out in four.”
Well, Lopez may get a chance to back up that statement, providing Matias’ claim is true. The junior welterweight division is stacked with mouthwatering fights, and this could be the first of many big fights in the division to kick off 2024.
