Subriel Matías Officially Receives His WBC World Champion Belt from Mauricio Sulaiman
On Friday morning, Puerto Rican boxer Subriel “Orgullo de Maternillo” Matías officially received the gorgeous Green and Gold Belt that recognizes and applauds him as the World Boxing Council (WBC) super lightweight world champion.
Matías won the 140-pound title by defeating Dominican Alberto “Avispa” Puello by majority decision on July 12 in one of the year’s best fights, held at the Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York. It was a night of note.
The emotional and memorable ceremony took place at La Fortaleza, the seat of the Puerto Rican government, and was broadcast live on the official social media channels of Governor Jennifer González, who led the event.
Key boxing figures attended, including Alberto Guerra, president of the Central American Boxing Federation; former world champion Juan Laporte; Edgardo López, WBC representative in Puerto Rico; and of course, WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán.
The Governor began the conference by acknowledging Matías’s greatness and thanking the WBC for its commitment to the sport on the island. “This is the first time an official WBC conference has been held at La Fortaleza. This is an unprecedented achievement for the sport in Puerto Rico,” the Governor stated.
During the ceremony Mauricio Sulaimán presented the Governor with a Mini Belt in recognition of her unwavering support for boxing.
Then came the iconic moment: the presentation of the belt to Subriel Matías. The WBC Presidenf declared: “For me, it is a true source of pride to be here. Boxing is the sport that gives young people—many born into humble conditions—the opportunity to change and transform their lives. All the great champions have had the Green and Gold Belt on their chest. It is an honor for me to give you yours’”
Matías’s coach Nelson Adam, also received a trainer’s belt in recognition for astutely guiding Matías to the title. This recognition for trainers is one of a kind at the WBC, an idea that arose from the need to honor the men behind the scenes who dedicate all their passion and commitment to their pupils. The belt is inspired by the traditional towel that trainers always use.
A particularly symbolic moment occurred when Matías placed on his belt the medal that Mauricio Sulaimán had given him in 2022, the year he told him: “You are going to be a world champion one day.” Today, that prediction has come true and been fulfilled.
“I thank God and my team, who made this possible,” Subriel said. “This medal, which was an inspiration, will stay on my champion’s belt for eternity.”
As a final touch, Mauricio presented Matías with a commemorative medal from the 2020-2022 WBC generation, as a symbol and inspiration to one day earn a place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Photos By Joseph Colón Torres
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About Boxing in Puerto Rico
The history of boxing in Puerto Rico is rich, vivid, diverse, thrilling and exciting.
The island is recognized as a true mecca and epicenter hub for the sport, having produced an impressive number of world champions and legendary figures.
First Champions
Sixto Escobar “El Gallito de Barceloneta”: He was the first Puerto Rican and the third Latino to become a world boxing champion. He achieved this on June 26, 1934, by defeating Mexican boxer Rodolfo “Baby” Casanova by knockout in the ninth round in Montreal, Canada. In 1936, he became the World Bantamweight Champion. After Escobar, it was 25 years before Puerto Rico had its second world champion:
Carlos Ortiz: On June 12, 1959, Carlos Ortiz became the super lightweight world champion by defeating Kenny Lane. Ortiz was an exceptional boxer, voted by The Ring magazine as the 60th-best fighter of the last 80 years in 2002.
Other names that became champions in the following decades include:
José L. “Chegui” Torres: In 1965, he became the third Puerto Rican world champion by winning the light heavyweight title from Willie Pastrano, which allowed Puerto Rico to have two world champions simultaneously (Ortiz at lightweight and Torres at light heavyweight).
Ángel “Cholo” Espada: He was crowned WBA welterweight champion in 1975.
Alfredo “El Salsero” Escalera: He was a “showman” in the ring and the WBC lightweight world champion in 1975.
Wilfredo Gómez “Bazooka”: Considered one of the hardest hitters from Puerto Rico and throughout the world. He was the WBC super bantamweight world champion from 1977 to 1983. He holds the record for 17 consecutive KOs in title defenses and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1995. His 1981 fight against Salvador Sánchez is one of the most remembered. It has passed into legend.
Wilfred Benítez: He became the sport’s youngest world champion at 17 years old and won titles in three different weight divisions. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996.
Héctor “Macho” Camacho: A charismatic, flamboyant and talented boxer who had victories over legends like Roberto Durán and Sugar Ray Leonard and was a world champion in multiple categories.
Edwin “Chapo” Rosario: Another great Puerto Rican champion with memorable fights, including his bout against Julio César Chávez.
WBC Champions from Puerto Rico
- ALFREDO ESCALERA SUPERFEATHWERWEIGHT
- CARLOS DE LEON CRUISERWEIGHT (3 TIMES)
- CARLOS ORTIZ LIGHTWEIGHT
- EDWIN ROSARIO LIGHTWEIGHT
- ESTEBAN DE JESUS LIGHTWEIGHT
- FELIX TRINIDAD WELTERWEIGHT
- HECTOR CAMACHO SUPERFEATHER/LIGHTWEIGHT)
- JOSE TORRES LT. HEAVYWEIGHT
- JUAN LAPORTE FEATHERWERIGHT
- McWILLIAMS ARROYO FLYWEIGHT
- MIGUEL COTTO MIDDLEWEIGHT
- SUBRIEL MATIAS SUPERLIGHTWEIGHT
- WILFREDO BENITEZ WELTERWEIGHT/SUPERWELTERWIGHT
- WILFREDO GOMEZ SUPERBANTAMWEIGHT/FEATHERWEIGHT
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