Articles

Lucas Matthysse: “Of Course I Want To Fight Floyd”

Published

11 years ago

August 30, 2013

LOS ANGELES (Aug. 30 2013) – Looking strong, fit and sounding ultra confident, a relaxed Lucas “The Machine” Matthysse was in Carson, Calif., last Saturday to meet with the media in attendance at StubHub Center and conduct an interview on the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast.

The hard-hitting WBC Interim Super Lightweight World Champion was headed to the California desert where he’ll spend the next week or so training before he departs to Las Vegas for his mega-confrontation with undefeated, Undisputed Super Lightweight World Champion Danny “Swift’’ Garcia (26-0, 16 KO’s) on Saturday, Sept. 14, live on SHOWTIME PPV®.

A main event on any other boxing card and a division-defining fight if ever there was one, Matthysse’s eagerly awaited match with Garcia will immediately precede the Floyd Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez showdown on the record-breaking “THE ONE’’ fight card from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Below are highlights of what Matthysse (34-2, 32 KO’s), who’s scored a staggering 94 percent of his wins by knockout, said during the media roundtable.

LUCAS MATTHYSSE

(Opening comments)

“Thank you for being here. I really appreciate the opportunity for this fight, and I’m going to do my best.

“I know that winning is going to open (a lot of) doors so I am taking this fight seriously. Hopefully, it (a victory) means a future fight with Floyd Mayweather. Of course I want to fight Floyd.’’

(Upcoming plans)

“I’m in California. More than anything else, I’m here to get used to the climate. I’m going to finish up my sparring here. It’s my last phase of training. I just want to get used to the difference in the climate before I go for my fight.

“Training in the desert is going to help a lot. I’m going to take a few easy days just to get acclimated. Obviously, the desert air and heat is very similar to Las Vegas.’’

(On how he’s dealing with the Garcia’s mind games)

“It doesn’t bother me. It just shows that they’re worried. That’s why they’re talking so much.’’

(On what concerns him about Danny Garcia)

“Nothing worries me. I’ve trained very hard and I’m ready for anything. (Being so) very well prepared is what gives me the confidence. I’m not only ready for 12 rounds, I’m ready for 15.”

(On whether he was angry over the length of time it took for the fight to be made)

“(There is) no animosity whatsoever. I was a little disappointed that it took so long, but I’m happy that it finally got done.’’

(On Garcia’s style)

“I feel his style suits me. He’s not a very good boxer. He’s a fighter that’s aggressive and comes forward just like I do. I like that.

“Yes, I think I can take it (his left hook). I’ve been hit before and been able to withstand it. But if Danny drops me, I’m going to get up.

“Hopefully he comes towards me, but it doesn’t really matter. I have a feeling that we’re both going to be very aggressive and, like I said, we’re going to beat each other up. It will be a great fight.’’

(Besides your awesome power, what are your other strengths?)

“I haven’t really shown my boxing, but it’s not my fault. (I can’t show it because) my opponents run from me, so I have to go after them. But I know how to box.‘’

(On the attention he’s receiving by fighting on a record-breaking event like this)

“It’s an honor to be in a fight on this big of a stage. I know there’s going to be a lot of interest. I’m just happy so many people are going to see my style of fighting.

“I’m very gracious for all the attention I am getting. I’m even starting to get used to it. I’ve felt good since the first time I came to the United States. I’ve always had a lot of support.’’

(On his newfound popularity)

“Actually, I’m a little surprised by how many people that have started to follow me. Even all the Latino people, they give me support and love and it feels great.’’

(Do your recent fast starts have anything to do with losing two controversial decisions?)

“Those two fights that I lost were (good experiences for me) and, yes, I learned from those fights. Obviously, I’ve come out a little faster now, but not just because of those fights but because I have a little different preparation.’’

(On the recent success of Argentine fighters – for one, Marcos Maidana)

“Some of us Argentine fighters are going through a good moment now. It’s an honor to be fighting in this era (with so many going well). All we do is train hard and use our heart in our training and in our fights. Actually, we’ve been going pretty well for a while now.‘’

(On the difference between the Matthysse of today and the one who debuted 10 years ago)

“I grew, mentally and physically. You learn from the fights, of course, but not only the fights. You learn from the traveling. I’ve learned so much, and I’ve gained experience. That’s the difference.’’

(On his upcoming sparring with Tim Bradley in Palm Springs)

“Obviously, he’s got very good speed and experience, and that’s going to help a lot.’’

(On why he declined a mini-press tour that would have included a stop in Philadelphia, Garcia’s hometown)

“It was going to interfere with my preparation; and that is basically the reason. My preparation is very important.’’

(On whether he would like to fight in Argentina again)

“I would love to go back someday and fight. I have a lot of people who come up and ask me when I’ll be fighting there again since it’s been awhile.’’

(On his preparedness)

“Conditioning is a key. That’s no secret. Danny will be in good condition, so will I. If you get hit, you have to be in good condition.

“All the knockouts have given me a lot of confidence, being able to finish off my fights early. But I don’t train that way. I train to box and go the rounds I’m supposed to go. I don’t look for the knockout, But if it comes, it comes.’’

(On Garcia’s weaknesses)

“There are a few but I don’t want to reveal my secrets.’’

(On what the fight with Garcia means to him)

“It’s the fight of my life … and I’m going to take advantage of it.’’

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The Sweet Science

Articles

2015 Fight of the Year – Francisco Vargas vs Takashi Miura

Published

8 years ago

January 4, 2016

The Sweet Science

The WBC World Super Featherweight title bout between Francisco Vargas and Takashi Miura came on one of the biggest boxing stages of 2015, as the bout served as the HBO pay-per-view’s co-main event on November 21st, in support of Miguel Cotto vs Saul Alvarez.

Miura entered the fight with a (29-2-2) record and he was making the fifth defense of his world title, while Vargas entered the fight with an undefeated mark of (22-0-1) in what was his first world title fight. Both men had a reputation for all-out fighting, with Miura especially earning high praise for his title defense in Mexico where he defeated Sergio Thompson in a fiercely contested battle.

The fight started out hotly contested, and the intensity never let up. Vargas seemed to win the first two rounds, but by the fourth round, Miura seemed to pull ahead, scoring a knock-down and fighting with a lot of confidence. After brawling the first four rounds, Miura appeared to settle into a more technical approach. Rounds 5 and 6 saw the pendulum swing back towards Vargas, as he withstood Miura’s rush to open the fifth round and the sixth round saw both men exchanging hard punches.

The big swinging continued, and though Vargas likely edged Miura in rounds 5 and 6, Vargas’ face was cut in at least two spots and Miura started to assert himself again in rounds 7 and 8. Miura was beginning to grow in confidence while it appeared that Vargas was beginning to slow down, and Miura appeared to hurt Vargas at the end of the 8th round.

Vargas turned the tide again at the start of the ninth round, scoring a knock down with an uppercut and a straight right hand that took Miura’s legs and sent him to the canvas. Purely on instinct, Miura got back up and continued to fight, but Vargas was landing frequently and with force. Referee Tony Weeks stepped in to stop the fight at the halfway point of round 9 as Miura was sustaining a barrage of punches.

Miura still had a minute and a half to survive if he was going to get out of the round, and it was clear that he was not going to stop fighting.

A back and forth battle of wills between two world championship level fighters, Takashi Miura versus “El Bandido” Vargas wins the 2015 Fight of the Year.

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Articles

Jan 9 in Germany – Feigenbutz and De Carolis To Settle Score

Published

8 years ago

January 4, 2016

The Sweet Science

This coming Saturday, January 9th, the stage is set at the Baden Arena in Offenburg, Germany for a re-match between Vincent Feigenbutz and Giovanni De Carolis. The highly anticipated re-match is set to air on SAT.1 in Germany, and Feigenbutz will once again be defending his GBU and interim WBA World titles at Super Middleweight.

The first meeting between the two was less than three months ago, on October 17th and that meeting saw Feigenbutz controversially edge De Carolis on the judge’s cards by scores of (115-113, 114-113 and 115-113). De Carolis scored a flash knock down in the opening round, and he appeared to outbox Feigenbutz in the early going, but the 20 year old German champion came on in the later rounds.

The first bout is described as one of the most crowd-pleasing bouts of the year in Germany, and De Carolis and many observers felt that the Italian had done enough to win.

De Carolis told German language website RAN.DE that he was more prepared for the re-match, and that due to the arrogance Feigenbutz displayed in the aftermath of the first fight, he was confident that he had won over some of the audience. Though De Carolis fell short of predicting victory, he promised a re-vamped strategy tailored to what he has learned about Feigenbutz, whom he termed immature and inexperienced.

The stage is set for Feigenbutz vs De Carolis 2, this Saturday January 9th in Offenburg, Germany. If you can get to the live event do it, if not you have SAT.1 in Germany airing the fights, and The Boxing Channel right back here for full results.

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Articles

2015 Knock Out of the Year – Saul Alvarez KO’s James Kirkland

Published

8 years ago

December 29, 2015

The Sweet Science

On May 9th of 2015, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez delivered a resonant knock-out of James Kirkland on HBO that wins the 2015 KO of the Year.

The knock-out itself came in the third round, after slightly more than two minutes of action. The end came when Alvarez delivered a single, big right hand that caught Kirkland on the jaw and left him flat on his back after spinning to the canvas.Alvarez was clearly the big star heading into the fight. The fight was telecast by HBO for free just one week after the controversial and disappointing Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao fight, and Alvarez was under pressure to deliver the type of finish that people were going to talk about. Kirkland was happy to oblige Alvarez, taking it right to Alvarez from the start. Kirkland’s aggression saw him appear to land blows that troubled the young Mexican in the early going. Alvarez played good defense, and he floored Kirkland in the first round, displaying his power and his technique in knocking down an aggressive opponent.

However, Kirkland kept coming at Alvarez and the fight entered the third round with both men working hard and the feeling that the fight would not go the distance. Kirkland continued to move forward, keeping “Canelo” against the ropes and scoring points with a barrage of punches while looking for an opening.

At around the two minute mark, Alvarez landed an uppercut that sent Kirkland to the canvas again. Kirkland got up, but it was clear that he did not have his legs under him. Kirkland was going to try to survive the round, but Alvarez had an opportunity to close out the fight. The question was would he take it?

Alvarez closed in on Kirkland, putting his opponent’s back to the ropes. Kirkland was hurt, but he was still dangerous, pawing with punches and loading up for one big shot.

But it was the big shot “Canelo” threw that ended the night. Kirkland never saw it coming, as he was loading up with a huge right hand of his own. The right Alvarez threw cracked Kirkland in the jaw, and his eyes went blank. His big right hand whizzed harmlessly over the head of a ducking Alvarez, providing the momentum for the spin that left Kirkland prone on the canvas.

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez went on to defeat Miguel Cotto in his second fight of 2015 and he is clearly one of boxing’s biggest stars heading into 2016. On May 9th Alvarez added another reel to his highlight film when he knocked out James Kirkland with the 2015 “Knock Out of the Year”.

Photo by naoki fukuda

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