Don’t believe the hype Part II—Matthysse fell

By KenWoods123 - 09/17/2013 - Comments

matthysse766By Ken Woods: The hip hop group Public Enemy made the phrase “don’t believe the hype” popular during the late 80s. This phrase can apply to many aspects of life and sports, especially the boxing ring.

Many in the boxing community, however, did not take heed to these words and believed the hype surrounding Lucas Matthysse (34-3, 32 KO’s) was real. I, however, correctly predicted his hype train would be derailed at the hands of Danny Garcia (27-0, 16 KO’s), and the performance Garcia displayed last Saturday night made my words prophetic.

I would like to invite all those critics who were so sure that I was delusional, crazy, taking drugs, too confident in my prediction, downright wrong, and that I knew nothing about boxing to also comment on this article.

Garcia proved to be the better boxer with more versatility and footwork (just as I predicted). He circled Matthysse, controlled the distance, counter-punched, and put together combinations like no other opponent Matthysse had ever faced.

Garcia fought smart with a great game plan to go to the body early to slow down Matthysse’s punches and sap his energy. It showed later in the fight because Matthysse’s punches lost significant zip and power. Matthysse did come out with quick hands and he controlled the first few rounds, but he failed to make an adjustment, and that’s what cost him.

Not only did Garcia put on an offensive clinic, but he proved he could take a tremendous shot and keep going. Matthysse unloaded a vicious right hand in the 11th round that knocked Garcia’s mouthpiece out and would’ve put any other fighter down. Garcia took the shot like a champ and kept his composure.

Everyone caught up in the propaganda raved about Matthysse’s devastating punching power, yet Garcia took many good shots and delivered even better ones.

Like I said before, Matthysse had never been in the ring with anyone that made him respect their punching power, and Garcia ensured that Matthysse felt his punches. He swelled the Argentinian’s eye and knocked him down in the 11th round. The hype was that Matthysse was just going to walk through Garcia’s punches and knock him out, contrarily; the only one who hit the deck was Matthysse.

Critics and fans alike also said Garcia had leaky defense, which he still does, but he showed improved movement and ring generalship. Matthysse was the boxer who couldn’t seem to remove his feet from the sand trap when Garcia fired off combinations. Matthysee was there to be hit, and his right eye showed the evidence of that.

Once again, Garcia proved everyone wrong and not only beat Matthysse but beat him up. And to those who still want to make excuses for Matthysse’s loss, I’ll leave you with another rap quote from Jay Z. “Numbers don’t lie, check the scoreboard.”



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