WHO IS LUCAS MATTHYSSE?
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 21 Mar 2018
The next Manny Pacquiao opponent is Lucas Martin Matthysse. An orthodox fighter, he was from Trelew, Chubut, Argentina Trelew, Chubut, Argentina. Matthysse has held the WBA regular welterweight title since January 2018, and was previously the WBC interim super lightweight titlist from 2012 to 2013.
Born September 27, 1982, Matthysse, 35, is known for his aggressive fighting style and formidable punching power that is why he is nicknamed "La M?quina" (The Machine). His older brother Walter Matthysse is also former professional boxer.
Matthysse stands 5 ft 6 1⁄2 in (169 cm) and has a 69 in (175 cm) reach. In 44 total fights, he has 39 wins, 36 victories by KO, 4 losses and 1 no contest.
He faced Marcos Maidana four times as an amateur boxer with Maidana winning three times.
In June 4, 2004, Matthysse won his pro debut against Leandro Almagro, on a fight card that his brother Walter also fought.
On November 6, 2010 Matthysse lost a very disputed split decision against former world champion Zab Judah. Two judges scored the fight 114?113 for Judah, while the other judge scored it 114?113 for Matthysse.
He suffered another controversial split decision loss to former two-division champion Devon Alexander in a ten-rounder on June 25, 2011. The judges scored the fight 96-93 and 95-94 for Alexander and 96-93 for Matthysse.
He fought Mexican Angel Martinez on February 10, 2012 for the vacant WBA intercontinental light welterweight title at the Gimnasio Municipal, Chubut, Argentina in a 12 rounder. Martinez quit after the 5th round.
Matthysse faced former super featherweight and lightweight champ Humberto Soto on June 23, 2012. Both fighters exchanged heavy bombs in the starting rounds but the Matthysse was able to connect consistently with telling body blows and won the fight with another fifth round TKO.
On May 18, 2013 Matthysse clashed with Lamont Peterson and at the end of the second round he knocked Peterson down. In the third round Matthysse kept pressuring Peterson, knocking him down twice in the round before referee Steve Smoger stopped the fight.
After the fight, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, proclaimed Matthysse as the next Manny Pacquiao. The victory is considered the biggest in Matthysse's career as he was groomed to superstardom.
He then faced unified light welterweight champion Danny Garc?a on September 14, 2013 in the undercard to the Floyd Mayweather vs. Saul "Canelo" Alvarez main event.
Matthysse was a heavy favorite against Garcia despite being the challenger. Matthysse incurred an injury to his right eye from Garcia's quick right hand, which the champ exploited. Garcia knocked him down in the 11th round, the first trip to the canvas for La Maquina. The judges gave Garcia a unanimous decision with the scores 115-111, 114-112 and 114-112.
On October 3, 2015, Matthysse again climbed the ring as the huge favorite to win over the undefeated Ukrainian Viktor Postol. But Postol's four-inch reach advantage took its toll on Matthysse and a counter right hand sent him down. He did not attempt to get up from the floor citing an injury in his eye. Matthysse then went inactive for a year-and-a-half after undergoing eye surgery.
Last January 27, 2018, the Argentinean champ announced his intention to face eight division world champion Pacquiao, following his eight round TKO of Tewa Kiram at The Forum in Los Angeles, California where Matthysse seized the WBA regular welterweight title. Golden Boy Promotions President Eric Gomez stated that they would not block Matthysse's planned showndown in ESPN, if the Pacquiao match pushes through.
"I am very happy, I had been able to win an interim title, and now with this world title, my dream has came true. It's been many years of sacrifice, I started boxing at eleven and I'm already 35," Matthysse said. He became interim champion on September 8, 2012 when he stopped Olusegun Ajose in Las Vegas for the WBC super lightweight title.
"I like his aggressive fighting style," Pacquiao said in announcing the fight. "That's what I want, to entertain the boxing fans. Besides, Matthysse is not a dirty fighter and I highly respect him for that."
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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