Australia's Liam Paro has stunned Subriel Matias to claim the IBF super lightweight title in Puerto Rico.
Coming in as a 5/1 underdog, Paro boxed beautifully to take out a unanimous decision victory (115-112x2, 116-111) in the incumbent champion's backyard.
Matias had knocked out his opponent in all 20 of his professional victories and was expected to do similar to the undefeated 28-year-old from Queensland.
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Paro, however, had other ideas, pulling off the win on the back of a superb gameplan and skilled boxing.
The southpaw started the fight excellently, keeping the powerful Matias at bay with some sharp combinations, high volume and classy footwork.
Rather than try to blast the notoriously slow starting Matias out of there, Paro banked most of the early rounds, occasionally sitting down on left hands to the body and hooks around the guard, but, for the most part, sticking and moving.
Matias tried at times to change gears and looked as if he was getting to Paro through the middle rounds but the Australian caught a second wind and, were it not for some terrible refereeing and a ridiculous point deduction, would have won by an even greater margin.
Down on the cards in front of a restless crowd, Matias looked for the shot that might change proceedings through the final few rounds but Paro did well to avoid most of the attacks and even score with his own.
"We f***in' did it," Paro said post-fight, paying tribute to his late friend Regan Grieve.
"I made a promise to my friend that passed away, I'm a f***in' man of my word.
"All we've got in this life is our word and to be a man of mine on the highest scale, that means the most to me and I will die a proud man.
"And to all the people that said I couldn't do it, it's Paro time."
Asked what would come now, Paro said he hopes to defend the title in his home state.
"I've been a road warrior so let's bring the big fights back to Queensland, I'm a proud Queenslander," he added.
"I want everyone. I've proved that I'm at the top here. 25 tests, 25 wins. All the big guys, let's go get it.
"I just took out the boogeyman, I am the man now, I'm the captain. Come and get it."
Paro, now 25-0, joins another Queensland-based southpaw in Jai Opetaia as Aussies who currently hold world titles.
Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn sung the lefty's praises after the fight and confirmed he'd be happy to grant the new champion's wish.
"It wasn't even close, it was a masterclass from Liam Paro," Hearn said.
"To come to Puerto Rico, to the backyard of the guy that nobody wanted to fight, that is a massive win for Liam Paro.
"Time to bring him home to Australia, he's been on the road for a long time, having to take all these fights.
"Love to see him defend that championship in Australia. Massive win and he deserves it.
"Liam Paro became a big name tonight. You've got Ryan Garcia, you've got Pitbull Cruz, you've got Teofimo Lopez... this is just an incredible night for Australian boxing and Liam Paro."
Slipping to 20-2, Matias' reputation as the boogeyman at 140-pounds has taken a significant hit.
Questions will be asked of his own gameplan, struggling to mount any consistent offense once it became clear that Paro wasn't going to wilt under the pressure and power like most of his previous opponents.
Here's how it all went down:
Subriel Matias vs. Liam Paro fight results, updates
Liam Paro has claimed a stunning upset victory over Subriel Matias in Puerto Rico, taking out a unanimous decision (115-112x2, 116-111) to claim the IBF super lightweight title.
SN Unofficial Scorecard
| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Total |
| Matias | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 112 |
| Paro | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 115 |
Round 12: We go the distance! Matias finishes strongly, seemingly stunning Paro momentarily. Will it be enough? Worth nothing that this fight is in Puerto Rico and there were plenty of close rounds so don't be surprised if we get some funky cards.
Round 11: Into the championship rounds and another one that could go either way. Matias definitely lacking the trademark pop on his shots now. Paro staying composed and fighting fire with fire when he needs to.
Round 10: Regardless of how this one ends, it's been a brilliantly composed boxing performance for Paro. Matias needs to show more urgency here. Paro took that one on the back of some nice body work and some stick-and-move action.
Round 9: Another tight one but if Matias wants to back some rounds, he's got to be more active from the start. Paro boxed well for the opening two minutes and Matias couldn't do enough when he finally tried to tee off.
Round 8: Paro gets another warning. More terrible refereeing from Luis Pabon. Paro scores nicely with straight combinations through the majority of the round and, as he does, Matias comes on strong in the final 30 seconds. Close round but Paro takes it for us.
Round 7: The referee has taken a point from Paro. It was a completely ridiculous decision, to be honest. Apparently for leading with his head but the southpaw-orthodox combination is the main reason for any contact. Paro goes down upon the restart but it's a slip. The pair then trade head-to-head in the middle of the ring for the final 90 seconds. Matias appears to be gaining confidence but Paro still in front on our card.
Round 6: A closer round that time as Matias finishes strongly but Paro controlled the majority of it. The Australian dug downstairs with hard left hands several times. Matias looked to change gears late in the round.
Round 5: More good boxing from the challenger who loads up on a left to the body and another one upstairs around the guard. Paro's movement is giving Matias issues as he can't find him with power shots. Matias may have to change something here.
Round 4: Solid round for Paro who keeps the champ off him with plenty of volume. Matias looks to push the action late in the round but wears two left uppercuts. Paro is fighting at a high tempo here and will need to keep it up.
Round 3: Matias far more aggressive that round, pressing forward and forcing Paro to cover up at times. Paro lands a nice uppercut late but Matias finds the target with a good shot just before the bell.
Round 2: More activity that round from Matias who looks to explode with left hooks and flurries. Paro is boxing well and doesn't seem daunted by the occasion. The southpaw keeps scoring with combinations, finding the target around the gloves.
Round 1: A typically slow start from the champion who is happy to stand in front of Paro with his guard up. Paro scores with plenty of shots but isn't loading up too much just yet. Matias barely threw a punch.
11:21pm ET: The anthems are sung and, after a marathon walkout from Matias, the fighters are in the ring. Let's go.
11:04pm ET: The undercard is in the books and the main event fighters are set to make their way to the ring.
Yankiel Rivera def. Victor Sandoval via UD10
In just his sixth professional fight, the highly rated prospect Rivera scored a classy points victory over the experienced Sandoval.
Alfredo Santiago def. Angel Fierro via UD10
A super impressive debut at the weight for Santiago, proving far too good for the tough Fierro.
Stephanie Piñeiro def. Diana Tapia via UD10
Piñeiro a class above a game Tapia on the way to a dominant points victory.
William Ortiz def. Luis Gonzalez via UD6
Ortiz remains undefeated with a classy six-round unanimous decision victory over Gonzalez, scoring two knockdowns along the way.
What time is Subriel Matias vs. Liam Paro?
The Matias vs. Paro main card kicks off at 7:30pm ET on Saturday, June 15.
Viewers can expect the fighters to step into the ring for the main event around 10:50pm ET.
All times are approximate and will depend on the length of the earlier bouts.
| Date | Main card | Matias vs. Paro | |
| US (ET) | Sat. June 15 | 7:30pm | 10:50pm |
| US (PT) | Sat. June 15 | 4:30pm | 7:50pm |
| Australia (AEST) | Sun. June 16 | 9:30am | 12:50pm |
| UK | Sun. June 16 | 12:30am | 3:50pm |
How to watch Subriel Matias vs. Liam Paro: TV channel, live stream
Fans can tune into all the action from the Matias vs. Paro card live on streaming platform DAZN.
This is not a pay-per-view event, which means existing DAZN subscribers can watch at no extra cost.
Subriel Matias vs. Liam Paro fight card
- Subriel Matias (c) vs. Liam Paro for the IBF super lightweight title
- Yankiel Rivera vs. Victor Sandoval; flyweight
- Angel Fierro vs. Alfredo Santiago; super lightweight
- Stephanie Piñeiro vs. Diana Tapia; welterweight
- William Ortiz vs. Luis Gonzalez; super lightweight