The ordered battle for the vacant IBF 140-pound crown that was scheduled for October 15 is postponed. At least that’s what one of the participants, Subriel Matias, says and posted on social media about it on Saturday.
Although not officially announced, Matias was reportedly scheduled to face Jeremias Ponce on the undercard of the PBC pay-per-view that will feature heavyweights Deontay Wilder and Robert Helenius in the main event.
Matias wrote on Instagram,
“Have a good weekend everyone, thank you all for your support, I want to inform you that I will not be fighting on October 15 due to a visa problem and now I know that I will continue training, it is not in my hands to wait now when I fight, thank you all for your support and good vibes ????????????”, Matías wrote in Spanish.
Boxingscene.com reported Saturday afternoon that it is Ponce’s visa issue from Argentina to come to the US for that date that has the fight now looking at a later date.
Matias, 18-1, 18 KO’s, moved up to the IBF number two position with an eighth-round TKO over Batyrzhan Jukembayev in May 2021 in Carson, California. He then kayoed Petros Ananyan in the ninth round in January.
Meanwhile, top contender Ponce, 30-0, 20 KOs, won his fight in June of last year with an impressive TKO of Lewis Ritson in Newcastle, England to claim the top spot. Ponce has won two fights, both by early KO, since Ritson’s victory to cement his position in the IBF.
The IBF junior welterweight belt was vacated when former undisputed champion Josh Taylor of Scotland chose to rematch England’s Jack Catterall later this year. Taylor won a disputed decision over Catterall in Glasgow, Scotland in February and there is a huge demand in the UK for them to fight again.
