CARSON, Calif. – Subriel Matias is rapidly earning a reputation as the most dangerous puncher in the junior welterweight division.

The Puerto Rican knockout artist racked up his biggest win to date, forcing Kazakhstan’s Batyrzhan Jukembayev (18-1, 14KOs) to quit on his stool after eight grueling rounds Saturday evening at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The bout served as an IBF title eliminator for the number-two position, with Matias (17-1, 17KOs) well within reach of his first career title fight.

“I want those belts,” Matias told BoxingScene.com following the win. “We took this fight to get in that position to become world champion. I just beat this guy like I said I would. I’m ready for whoever else I have to beat to win the world title.”

That path is a matter for the IBF to sort out. Matias’ clash with the previously unbeaten Jukembayev was one of two title eliminators ordered by the New Jersey-based sanctioning body. Still awaiting a date is the other ordered contest between England’s Lewis Ritson and Argentina’s Jeremias Ponce.

There is also the matter of undisputed and lineal champion Josh Taylor (18-0, 13KOs) having to wade through his mandatory title defenses. The unbeaten Scottish southpaw is already due to next face WBO number-one contender Jack Catterall, while Jose Zepeda awaits his turn as the WBC mandatory challenger.

Given the current rotation, the IBF mandatory likely won’t be called until 2022 since Taylor satisfied his previous obligation last September.

However long it takes, Matias is prepared to clear a path to ensure his place in line.

“We’re waiting for the number-one ranking to be decided between Ponce and (Ritson),” Juan Orengo, Matias’ promoter told BoxingScene.com. “If the belt is vacant by then, we will fight the winner for the vacant title. If we have to win that fight to get to Josh Taylor, we’re ready for that as well.”  

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox