Matias vs. Valenzuela: IBF calls for title eliminator for Hitchins’ 140-pound belt

The IBF has ordered No. 5 Subriel Matias and No. 6 Gabriel Valenzuela to begin negotiations for a light welterweight title eliminator to decide the No. 1 contender to challenge new 140-pound champion Richardson Hitchins for his belt.

IBF order remover

Matias, 32, has an excellent opportunity to return to world title fight to regain his former IBF belt which he lost a year ago, a 12-round unanimous decision loss to Liam Paro on June 15 .

It is very difficult for Valenzuela to defeat Matias because he is an excellent puncher, and he will put pressure on him non-stop. Gabriel will likely follow Paro’s plan by using movement, excellent grappling, pushing and other tactics to try and win.

Elvis Rodríguez chose not to fight Matias (21-2, 21 KOs). Otherwise, he would have faced the former IBF light welterweight champion in the title eliminator. It’s his loss as he’s expected to fight Yomar Alamo next.

Jake Donovan is reports the IBF is ordering the Matias-Valenzuela negotiations.

Gabriel Valenzuela (30-3-1, 17 KOs) has won his last five fights since losing to Montana Love via a 12-round unanimous decision in Las Vegas on May 7, 2022. Valenzuela’s other two losses have arrived against William Zepeda and Luis Hernández Ramos.