Subriel Matias Outpoints Alberto Puello For WBC Title

The super lightweight championship clash between Alberto Puello and Subriel Matias at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens on July 12, 2025, brought together two of the division's most formidable forces in a contest that delivered both drama and controversy. Puello, the undefeated Dominican southpaw and reigning WBC champion, entered the ring with a record of 24 wins and no losses, defending his title for the third time after a year-long reign. Matias, the relentless Puerto Rican pressure fighter, carried a record of 22 wins and 2 losses, with an astonishing knockout ratio and a reputation for breaking opponents down with sheer volume. The fight, scheduled for twelve rounds, was contested for the WBC super lightweight championship and served as a centrepiece on a card that also featured Hamzah Sheeraz's knockout of Edgar Berlanga and Shakur Stevenson's victory over William Zepeda.

From the opening bell, the tactical contrast between the two fighters was clear. Puello, slightly taller but with a marginally shorter reach, sought to control range with his right jab and lateral movement, angling around Matias's high guard and looking to score with sharp counters. Matias, fighting out of an orthodox stance, advanced with characteristic aggression, throwing punches in bunches and targeting Puello's body from the outset. The early rounds saw Puello land the cleaner shots, using his footwork to evade Matias's pressure and countering effectively off the back foot. His accuracy and timing were evident, as he found openings for his left hand and kept the champion at bay with crisp combinations.

As the fight progressed into the middle rounds, Matias's relentless work rate began to tell. He upped the tempo, walking through Puello's offence and pinning him to the ropes for extended stretches. The Puerto Rican's body attack was particularly effective, as he landed a total of 101 body shots compared to just 39 for Puello throughout the fight. The physical toll of these attacks became apparent as Puello's movement slowed and he resorted to frequent clinching to disrupt Matias's rhythm. The crowd, vocal in their support for both fighters, grew restless with the holding, and the referee issued several warnings but stopped short of deducting points. Despite the fatigue, Puello continued to land eye-catching counters, particularly with his right hook and straight left. Still, Matias's output and aggression kept the rounds close, making scoring difficult.

The championship rounds were fought at a gruelling pace, with both men digging deep and trading momentum. Puello, clearly feeling the effects of Matias's pressure, leaned heavily on survival tactics, clinching and moving when possible but still managing to land clean shots in exchanges. Matias, undeterred, pressed forward with unflagging intensity, throwing over 600 punches in the fight and maintaining a high level of output until the final bell. The judges were faced with a difficult task: weighing Puello's accuracy and ring generalship against Matias's volume and effective aggression. CompuBox statistics revealed that Puello actually landed 17 more jabs and five more power punches than Matias, but Matias's edge in body shots and overall pressure left a strong impression.

When the final bell sounded, both corners raised their fighters in anticipation. The official scorecards reflected the razor-thin nature of the contest: one judge had it even at 114-114, while the other two favoured Matias by identical scores of 115-113, awarding him a majority decision and the WBC super lightweight title. The result was immediately met with debate, as many ringside observers felt Puello's cleaner punching and defensive work had earned him the decision. In contrast, others pointed to Matias's relentless attack and superior work rate as the deciding factors. The crowd's reaction was mixed, with some boos directed at the decision, but a general acknowledgement of the effort and heart shown by both fighters.

The aftermath saw Matias crowned a two-time world champion, his record improving to 23 wins and 2 losses, with 22 knockouts. Puello, suffering his first professional defeat, dropped to 24-1 with 10 knockouts. The fight's punch statistics underscored the closeness of the contest: Puello landed more jabs and power shots, but Matias's 101 body punches and non-stop pressure ultimately swung the judges in his favour. Matias's victory sets up a future defence against Britain's Dalton Smith, as announced in the ring by promoter Turki Alalshikh. At the same time, Puello will look to regroup and rebuild after a gruelling and controversial loss.

Stylistically, the bout was a showcase of contrasting approaches at the elite level. Puello's southpaw stance, tactical discipline, and counterpunching were on full display in the early going. Still, the physical demands of Matias's pressure forced him into survival mode in the later rounds. Matias, meanwhile, reaffirmed his reputation as one of boxing's most relentless pressure fighters, willing to absorb punishment to impose his will and break down even the most technically skilled opponents. The contest was fought almost entirely at mid and close range, with both men averaging between 400 and 600 punches thrown per fight in recent outings—a testament to their aggressive, fan-friendly styles.

The atmosphere inside Louis Armstrong Stadium was electric throughout, with a diverse and passionate crowd reflecting the international appeal of both fighters. The stakes were clear: the winner would emerge as a central figure in a stacked super lightweight division, with potential unification bouts and marquee matchups on the horizon. The tension in the arena was palpable, especially in the final rounds, as the fight hung in the balance and both men pushed themselves to the limit. The judges' decision, while controversial, was a fitting conclusion to a contest defined by willpower, technical skill, and the kind of drama that only championship boxing can deliver.