By Sevak Sarkisian: Exciting hard-punching former world title challenger Lucas Matthysse (38-4
35KO’s), will be making his long-awaited return to the ring on January 27th at The Forum in
Inglewood California for a chance to win the vacant WBA welterweight world title against
fellow contender Tewa Kiram (38-0 28KO’s). This fight will be aired live on HBO and is
promoted by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions.
Lucas Matthysse is not only an exciting knock out puncher, but he’s also one of the best Jr
welterweights within the past decade. He holds wins over the likes of DeMarcus Corley,
Humberto Soto, Ajose Olusegun, Lamont Peterson, Ruslan Provodnikov and John Molina Jr.
Matthysse stands at about 5’6 ½ in height and possesses a 69-inch reach according to Box Rec.
Stylistically, Matthysse is a skillful brawler who packs major power in both fists. He has a
decent amount of skills and sets his power punches up nicely with jabs and feints. However, he
always has an offensive mindset and is always looking to hurt his opponent with a big punch.
Though I consider Matthysse one of the best Jr welterweights of his era, the fact is he came up
short twice in his world title shots. However, both times his title shots were against great
fighters in Danny Garcia (who was the lineal champion at the time) and Victor Postol who was
regarded by many fans as the most dangerous fighter in the division at that particular time
coming off a big KO win over Argentinian slugger Abregu on HBO.
Since then, Lucas Matthysse has switched to world-renowned trainer Joel Diaz and has moved
up to the welterweight division on a quest for a world title. Matthysse is coming off a
sensational TKO win over former contender Emmanuel Taylor this past May and seems to still
have plenty to offer to the sport.
Tewa Kiram, on the other hand, is a hungry undefeated fighter looking to win his first world title.
However, despite his impressive record he hasn’t fought any stiff competition, in his pro career
and has only fought once outside of his home country of Thailand. From what I have seen of
him, it seems like he likes to work off the jab and set up his power shots (specifically the
straight right hand) and is an offensively minded boxer-puncher. I expect this to be an exciting
fight for however long it lasts, and I must assume that Lucas Matthysse comes out with the win
due to the caliber of fighter that he is and the experience he has at the world-class level.