Subriel Matias is determined to reclaim the “boogeyman” moniker he held before his tough loss to Liam Paro in June, which cost him a junior-welterweight title in front of his hometown crowd in Puerto Rico.

Matias will fight Roberto Ramirez in a 10-round main event on Saturday at Coliseo Ruben Rodríguez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

The 32 year old, 20-2 (20 KOs), is focused on reasserting himself among boxing's elite after the setback. A comment from Ramirez might have ignited the motivation Matias needed.

“I’ve come prepared and ready for a war – to represent Mexico and to give a good show in front of those present for this event of ‘Haitians’ against Mexicans,” the 32-year-old Ramirez said, mistakenly referring to Puerto Ricans as “Haitians”, which caused laughter among those present.

Matias, smiling, responded: “He called me ‘Haitian’. This is the end.” He added: “I want to say so many things, but really, I want my next performances to speak for me.”

In the co-main event, Bayamon’s Jeyvier Cintron, 12-1 (6 KOs) and the only Puerto Rican boxer to compete in two Olympics, will seek to climb the rankings when he faces Mexico’s Rashib Martinez, 23-3-1 (11 KOs), in a 10-round bantamweight contest. Cintron returned in June after nearly a five-year hiatus following his only loss, to former titleholder Kazuto Ioka on New Year’s Eve 2019. He will aim to continue his ascent after stopping Carlos Mujica earlier in 2024.

“They say you got to reach the bottom to see glory, and that’s what’s been handed to me,” Cintron said. “I went through tough times, and on Saturday, I’ll show what I’m capable of.”

Martinez, 27, is entering on a three-fight winning streak, with two knockouts in his past two bouts. He sees the Cintron bout as an opportunity for bigger things.

“I come thoroughly prepared physically and mentally,” Martinez said, “and I will give a great performance.”

Lucas Ketelle is a proud member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and author of “Inside The Ropes of Boxing” (available on Amazon). Contact him on X @LukieBoxing.