LUCAS MATTHYSSE WRECKS LAMONT PETERSON
Lucas Matthysse Crushes Lamont Peterson
San Francisco, CA– The jr. welterweight division (140 lb.) has always been one of the most exciting weight classes in all of boxing. This is the same division that brought us memorable classics such as Aaron Pryor vs. Alexis Arguello, Julio Cesar Chavez–Meldrick Taylor, and Arturo Gatti–Mickey Ward, along with some other very good fights like Kostya Tsyzu being upset by Ricky Hatton and more recently Amir Khan vs. Marcos Maidana.
JR. WELTERWEIGHT CLASS ONE OF BOXING’S BEST!
All things considered, today’s 140 pounders have a whole lot to live up to in terms of excitement and entertainment. From the looks of things they seem are on the right track. The thing about the current landscape of this division is you can mix and match ANY of the top guys with each other and you are sure to have an all out war on your hands. Not only are there several highly rated guys with talent at 140, but they are versatile and all bring something different to the table.
ALVARADO-RIOS II MADE A STATEMENT
About a month and a half ago, Brandon Rios and Mike Alvarado beat the snot out of each other for the second time in less than six months. A month after that Danny Garcia engaged in a 12 round tussle with Zab Judah in a dramatic bout that had moments. This past weekend Lucas “The Machine” Matthysse of Argentina took on Lamont Peterson of Washington D.C. Although the fight was one sided, it contained plenty of fireworks, left the viewers in awe, and had them talking about the events that transpired over the night. Make no mistake: this is a great thing for our sport.
PROMOTIONAL “COLD WAR” MORE BITTER THAN U.S. CONGRESS
What’s not great for the sport is this “Cold War” between powerhouse promotional entities Top Rank and Golden Boy. Often the fights we would most like to see can not be made given the promoter’s stubborn refusal to work with one another. What we get instead is fans on boxing websites everywhere championing their favorite fighter as the would-be winner in a hypothetical bout. Too bad we’ll never know.
BOB ARUM & DON KING WORKED TOGETHER WHEN THEY HAD TO!
But sometimes in business competition is good for the consumer. Although we may not see Rios (the most exciting fighter in the division) vs. Matthysse (the hardest puncher at 140), or Ruslan Provodnikov (probably the best chin) vs. Lamont Peterson (the biggest heart), we can and most likely will at some point see Peterson vs. Judah (the O.G. veteran of the weight class), Matthysse vs. Garcia (the man to beat), Provodnikov vs. Alvarado (2nd most exciting and perhaps 1st now that Rios has moved north to chase Manny Pacquiao). Lurking in the shadows for their opportunity, like lions ready to pounce on their prey, are stablemates Amir Khan (the fastest and probably the most athletically talented) and Karim Mayfield (the division’s best kept secret).
140 LB. GUYS ALL BRING SOMETHING DIFFERENT
Each man has something unique to offer the sport. Let’s hope no ducking or protecting of anyone goes on so we can see their strengths on display against one another. Match any of these guys up and not only do you have a fight with close odds but you have a compelling storyline, and a guaranteed explosion.
DEBATE WILL RAGE ON WINNERS & LOSERS!
Before each of their fights we will most likely argue about who will win and why, while pointing out each fighter’s strengths and weaknesses and pointing to their performances against common opponents. What we should do is sit down, pop open a drink, shut up and enjoy the excitement while it lasts. Many of the aforementioned pugilists do not have their next bout lined up so we are not completely sure when we will see them in the ring next. What we do know is that when they do fight, we will be watching and enjoying the moment while it lasts so we can tell our grandchildren about it.
IN OTHER WORDS…
This is about to get awesome as Danny Garcia vs. Lucas Matthysse appear to be a go for September!
Jason B. Nava