Current world champion describes himself as an 'animal' ahead of big fight

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 defence 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 is 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 sound arrogant, but I’ll show you. I trust myself and what I do, and that’s makes me dangerous. My mind is my weapon.” 

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