Alexander vs. Matthysse on 6/25

By Boxing News - 03/18/2011 - Comments

Image: Alexander vs. Matthysse on 6/25By Dan Ambrose: Argentinean knockout artist Lucas Matthysse 28-1, 26 KO’s) could end up knocking former WBC/WBO light welterweight champion Devon Alexander 21-1, 13 KO’s) back into the pack and make him start all over again with his career when the two fighters meet up in the summer on June 25th in an important weeding out fight. The bout doesn’t have a venue as of now but it’s looking like it will be taking place in Alexander’s home city of St. Louis, Missouri.

This likely won’t matter to Matthysse, who figures he’ll win the fight by such a wide margin that it won’t matter if the fight is decided by decision. Alexander, 24, is coming off a dreadful 10 round technical decision loss to WBO light welterweight champion Timothy Bradley in January. This was the second consecutive poor performance for Alexander, who won a questionable 12 round unanimous decision over former WBA light welterweight champion Andriy Kotelnik last year in August.

Alexander had problems with Kotelnik’s counter punching ability and jab. In the Bradley fight, Alexander couldn’t handle Bradley’s inside fighting ability, his constant pressure and his combination punching. Matthysse will do well to try and emulate what Bradley did by putting a lot of constant pressure on Alexander and working on the inside as Bradley did. Matthysse has to be a lot busier than he was in his loss to Zab Judah last year in November.

Matthysse lost a questionable 12 round decision in that fight, but appeared to have done more than enough to get the win. However, Matthysse gave away some important early rounds by staying on the outside and not pressuring Judah from the outset. Matthysse can’t afford to give away a lot of early rounds against Alexander and expect to win, especially with the fight taking place in St. Louis. Matthysse has to jump on Alexander and stay on him the entire fight.

In an article by Dan Rafael at ESPN, Richard Schaefer, the CEO of Golden Boy Promotions and the promoter for Matthysse, said “This is one of those crossroad fights. The winner is right back in the mix at 140 pounds, which is one of the most exciting weight classes in boxing. Lucas Matthysse is always in exciting fights.”



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