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Boxing Card Preview: Subriel Matias (18-1-0, 18 KO’s) at Jeremias Ponce (30-0-0, 20 KO’s)

Popular knockout artist Subriel Matias will face undefeated Argentine Jeremias Ponce for the vacant IBF 140-pound World Championship on Saturday, February 25 live on SHOWTIME from The Armory in Minneapolis, headline a Premier Boxing Champions event. The fight will decide one of the kingpins of the red-hot super lightweight division.

The 10-round welterweight co-main event featuring the return of Minneapolis-native Jamal “Shango” James and the 2016 Argentine Olympian Alberto Palmetta will air on the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Elvis Rodriguez, an exciting super lightweight contender, faces Joseph “Blessed Hands” Adorno in a 10-round fight to start the show.

TIMES ARE MATIAS VS. PONCE? Date: Saturday, February 25 Most important card: Main event ringwalks (approximately): 9 p.m. ET/2 a.m. GMT The fight will take place at The Armory in Minneapolis, and viewers in the United States can watch it on Showtime at 11 p.m. Eastern Time / 4 a.m. GMT. The main event ringwalks are scheduled for 11 p.m. ET/4 a.m. GMT, and the main card is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. ET/2 a.m. GMT.

Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions, stated, “The 140-pound division is one of the hottest in boxing, and a new champion will be crowned at the weight when Subriel Matias and Jeremias Ponce meet in an anticipated clash on Saturday, February 25.” To stop the unbeaten and highly motivated Ponce, Matias, one of the sport’s most powerful punchers, will need to be at his best. In addition to a second 140-pound match between Elvis Rodriguez and Joseph Adorno, The Armory’s fan favorite Jamal James will return to the ring to face Alberto Palmetta and attempt to begin a second title defense. Fans in Minneapolis or watching on SHOWTIME will want to make sure they catch this packed lineup from beginning to end.

Matias, who is 30 years old and is 18-1 with 18 knockouts, fights in a seek-and-destroy style that is difficult for his opponents to see. With all 18 of his victories coming via stoppage, including his last six in the fifth round or later, he possesses early and late KO power. In 2020, he lost only once in his career, losing to Petros Ananyan via 10-round unanimous decision, which he later avenged. After the defeat, Matias, who is from Farjado, Puerto Rico, defeated Malik Hawkins and Batyrzhan Jukembayev via stoppage. In the rematch, he stopped Ananyan by TKO in the ninth round, carefully exhausting and wearing down his opponent before dropping him and ending the fight.

Matias stated, “I’m very thankful that there is now a date for this fight so that I can finally realize my dream and become world champion.” I’ve been in Mexico for ten months, away from my family, getting ready for when the time came to enter the ring. There is nothing that will prevent me from seeing it now that I have it in my sight.

When Ponce (30-0, 20 KOs) fights Matias, it looks like a fight between an immovable force and an unstoppable object. Ponce will be making his debut in boxing in the United States. Ponce, 26, of Buenos Aires, Argentina, aspires to join the long line of legendary Argentine boxers who came before him. By beating Lewis Ritson by TKO in the tenth round in June 2021, he put himself in position to fight for the IBF title. In preparation for the title fight, he has been busy. In November 2021, he stopped Michel Marcano by knockout in the second round, and in April of that same year, he beat Achiko Odikadze by TKO.

According to Ponce, “I promise that I am coming into this fight prepared to do whatever it takes to reach my dream and become a world champion.” This is my fight in my head, and I already have the title. I’ll show everyone who stands in my way why I’m undefeated and why I’ve earned this position.

James (27-2, 12 KOs) of Minneapolis will fight for the first time since losing to Radzhab Butaev in a slugfest in 2021, snapping his seven-fight winning streak. The 34-year-old is fighting at The Armory for the fifth time in his career. Between April 2018 and July 2019, he won four of his previous five fights there. James won victories over rival Abel Ramos and former Champion Antonio DeMarco during that run. James has also won fights against seasoned competitors like Javier Molina and Wale Omotoso. His only loss was against Yordenis Ugas, a former world champion.

James stated, “Training is going well, and I’m working hard as usual.” After such a long absence, I’m very excited to compete again, especially since it will be in my hometown. Palmetta will try his best, but I doubt it will be enough. I’m determined to win and demonstrate that I belong among the top five welterweights of this era.

Palmetta, who was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is now a professional boxer. Prior to turning pro in November 2016, he was 18-1 with 13 knockouts. Since 2017, the 32-year-old has won 11 of his last 12 fights, 11 of which were stopped by decision. In addition to an impressive run that included victories over the previously undefeated Erik Ortiz, veteran challengers Tre’Sean Wiggins, and Saul Corral, Palmetta also defeated Yeis Solano via decision in October 2021 and defeated Thomas Mendez in three rounds in November of that year.

Palmetta stated, “This is a great opportunity for me, and I’m training hard in Las Vegas to take full advantage of everything that’s in front of me.” I’ve competed for my nation in the ring for a number of years, including at the Olympics, and I’m entering on February 25 to make Argentina proud. I know I’m going to James’ hometown, but that will only make it more difficult for me to raise my hand.

After dropping his first fight of his career, a majority decision defeat to Kenneth Sims Jr., Rodrguez (13-1-1, 12 knockouts) has defeated his last two opponents. His most recent fight took place in March 2022 on SHOWTIME at The Armory, where he defeated Juan Jose Velasco in the seventh round. The 27-year-old exploded onto the scene in his first 11 fights, winning by knockout. In 2020, he won an impressive five fights. Rodriguez, who currently resides and trains in Los Angeles, California, is originally from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. “I can’t wait for February 25,” Rodriguez stated. I’ve been waiting and getting ready in camp for this chance to show off my skills. Although Adorno is a formidable fighter, he stands in my way. Simply stated. I need to make a big statement in this fight if I want to get a shot at the title this year.

Adorno (17-1-2, 14 KOs) enters this fight having won three of his previous fights, the most recent of which was a unanimous decision victory over Hugo Alberto Roldan in the main event of SHOBOX: The Current Generation® Following a draw with Jamaine Ortiz in April 2021 and a loss in March 2022 on SHOWTIME to then-unbeaten Michel Rivera, his current winning streak began. The well-known coach Raul “Chino” Rivas trains the 23-year-old, who was born in Union City, New Jersey, and now resides in Allentown, Pennsylvania. After a stellar amateur career in which he amassed a record of 178-22 and twice defeated Shakur Stevenson, Adorno turned professional in 2016 at the age of 17. In his first ten professional fights, he has won by knockout in nine of them.

Adorno stated, “I’m training hard and putting in the work to make this my crossover fight.” I have more experience, rank higher, and am the real A-side fighter. I intend to emulate my stablemate Kenny Sims’ dominance over Rodriguez. They chose the wrong battle. He is entitled to the side billing. Check out my qualifications. I am the stronger, more skilled, and talented fighter.

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