Former WBO light welterweight world champion Sabriel Matias has severed ties with Mexican coach Jay “Panda” Najjar.
Matias (20-2, 20 KOs) was dethroned last month by Liam Paro via 12-round decision in front of fans in Manati, Puerto Rico. It was Matias’ Matchroom Boxing debut.
Matthias needs to regroup and restructure.
Mathias, 32, needs to get back in the gym now if he wants to remain one of the top fighters in the 135-pound division.
Matthias' style is aggressive and exciting to watch, he's the type of boxer fans want to see every weekend and should be able to turn things around.
A delicate balance: attack and defense
Mathias must balance his defense with offense, as his weaknesses were exposed in his fight against Liam Paro. Boxing fans want to see a seasoned fighter on the front lines, and promotions are signing young fighters with these qualities, hoping to turn them into big stars in the boxing world.
However, Mathias needs to learn to defend himself a bit better. Boxers with a similar style tend to be short-lived. Ruslan Provodnikov and Brandon Rios are examples of aggressive boxers who only stayed at the top for a short time due to their aggressive fighting style.
The number of blows they receive will leave them with severe and obvious health problems. Health cannot be traded for money.
Najar's farewell and Cepeda's new star
“A huge thank you to our former world champion. He is a wonderful person in every way,” Najjar said on Facebook. “Thank you all for giving me the satisfaction of having my first champion. I know you are very loved. We have become family brothers. Champion, enjoy your family and your daughters. You deserve it.”
“Thank you for the love you have shown my family, my father and all your staff. May the Lord bless you today and always. Brothers Mexico and Puerto Rico, we have made history. We have united two beautiful and boxistic countries in a United Nation. Mexico worships you.”
Najjar also trains Mexican lightweight contender Williams “Camaron” Cepeda, who won by third-round knockout against Giovanni Cabrera last Saturday at the Toyota Center in Ontario, California.
A win for Cepeda could pave the way for a world title fight against WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson, whose promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, would like to see him face the best at 135 pounds.
