By: Sean Crose
The vacant IBF junior title was announced Saturday night at the Armory in Minneapolis as Jeremiah Ponce 30-0 pitted Subriel Matias 18-1 in a scheduled 12th round that was broadcast live on Showtime.
In the first match, Ponce rushed out like a pit-bull, frantically rushing at Matias. It was clear that the man wanted to get Matias out of there early, close in and hit with bad intentions. In between rounds, he stood in his corner and glared at his opponent across the ring. He returned to attack in the second round, but now Matias was ready to join. It was an intense situation, a match where Matias kicked his man in the final seconds. The third inning saw both men shoot from close range.
Things were still fast and furious in the fourth round, though Matias’ patience early in the match may have started to pay off as he once again knocked Ponce near the end of the round. The dizzying pace continued into the fifth inning. Ponce did a great job, but a strike at the end of Matias’ combo sent the man tumbling to the ring. Ponce was able to beat the count and survive the round – but then, as he sat on his stool looking battered, the match was halted in his corner.
