Alberto Puello vs. Subriel Matias: Who Wins?

However, Matias will look to counteract this tactic with his unrelenting pressure. “Puello better come ready to bleed,” he told DAZN. “I’m not here to box. I’m here to break.”

With a record of 22-2 versus a 24-0 world champion, at a glance, it would have you wondering what makes the “loser” the bookmaker’s favorite to win this clash. The simple fact that this man was born with two grenades as fists, ready to detonate at any moment. Of the 22 times Matias has had his arm raised in victory, not one fight has heard the final bell. A 100% knockout ratio. Add this firepower to the unrelenting pressure as aforementioned, and sprinkle in the fact that the 33-year-old has defeated eight of the nine southpaws he has faced, Matias has all the tools to become a two-time world champion.

Albeit a knockout artist, Matias has been defeated. The blueprint is out there. Liam Paro, a southpaw like Puello, tamed the dangerous Matias during their bout, winning a unanimous decision (116-111 and 115-112 twice) whilst also having a point deducted. ‘The Pride of Maternillo’ was also beaten early in his career, in 2020, losing to Petros Ananyan. In their 2022 rematch, Ananyan couldn’t repeat his victory and fell victim to the dynamite-loaded hands of Matias as he did not see the start of the tenth round.

Whilst many believe the most likely outcome is a Matias stoppage in the second half of the fight, don’t be shocked to see Puello outbox the puncher, like he did against fellow hard-hitter Gary Antuanne Russell last year when he claimed the WBC interim world title (which was later upgraded to the full championship when Devin ‘The Dream’ Haney was designated as a “champion in recess”).

Does losing give Matias the mental edge? After suffering two defeats, the man from Maternillo, Fajardo, bounced back to build himself into world title contention twice. He credits his mental fortitude to his young life of crime which included being imprisoned after he was wounded in a shooting back in 2012. But Puello may well feel invincible, having yet to taste defeat as a professional, which could work to his advantage rather than against him.

This is a battle between an elite-level puncher and an elite-level boxer, neither have received the accolades they deserve, yet, but both men have certainly used boxing to better their once impoverished lives. The winner becomes the leading target for Teofimo López, Richardson Hitchins and mandatory challenger, Dalton Smith who is backing the champion, Puello, to successfully defend his title whilst he waits for his shot at the victor.

ALBERTO PUELLO VS. SUBRIEL MATIAS PREDICTION

This is a real 50/50 fight between firepower and finesse. The bout poses so many questions: Can Puello keep Matias at range? Can Matias get on the inside and land his equaliser? How will Puello’s chin hold up once caught?

A good boxer should beat a good puncher, but at the elite level, it comes down to fine margins. I’m picking Puello on points, and he might have to pick himself up off the canvas en route to the final bell, via split decision.

ALBERTO PUELLO VS. SUBRIEL MATIAS BETTING ODDS

Per DraftKings SportsBook, Alberto Puello  (-120) and Subriel Matias (-105) are as close to 50/50 odds as you can get with neither fighter being the underdog.

Alberto Puello: TKO/KO +500; Decision +150

Draw: +1400

Subriel Matias: TKO/KO +175; Decision +500