Matías vs. Valenzuela: IBF orders title eliminator for Hitchins’ 140-pound belt

The IBF has ordered #5 Subriel Matías and #6 Gabriel Valenzuela to begin negotiations for a light welterweight title eliminator to decide the number one contender who will challenge new 140-pound champion Richardson Hitchins for his belt.

IBF Order Eliminator

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

It is a difficult task for Valenzuela to defeat Matías because he is an excellent puncher and will pressure him non-stop. Gabriel will likely follow Paro’s model by using moves, excellent grappling, shoving, and other rough tactics to try to win.

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

Jake Donovan is inform The FIB orders the Matías-Valenzuela negotiations.

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