By Mohummad Humza Elahi: This weekend, Argentinian native Lucas Matthysse (33-2) will face Washington DC’s own Lamont Peterson (31-1) at the famed Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. In what could potentially be a Fight of the Year candidate, both men have points to prove and scores to settle, not necessarily with each other but the face that this was made at a catch-weight of 141lbs means that there’s mutual respect between the two.
Although that respect will likely be left in the dressing room come fight night. A lot of analysis and articles have already been written, but I would like to focus on the title as I believe this is where the real battle will lie and the winner here will win on the night.
Firstly, here’s how I see each fighter approaching the bout: Lamont Peterson: Confidence boosting win over Kendall Holt means he’ll have plenty of motivation to step it up and he knows that Matthysse has adjusted his style to come out of the blocks a lot quicker after robberies (certainly in my mind) against Judah and Alexander.
I believe Peterson thinks he has the technical edge and will have a game plan similar to Alvarado when he beat Rios. He’s going to be incredibly disciplined in keeping his aggression in check so will likely be stepping back with jabs to keep Matthysse at range and frustrate him.
As the fight wears on, he’ll begin to pick his shots and then gradually win rounds convincingly rather than swarm and fight in the pocket. His Plan B will be to counter Matthysse and take advantage as he tires and breaks.
I believe he’s planning a convincing UD at minimum and a late stoppage at best. Lucas Matthysse: Will know that Peterson loves to fight up close and in the pocket and will condition himself to drag him in the trenches for 12 rounds where he believes his durability and work rate, not to mention power, will break him.
It’s that level of persistence that dropped Soto and Olusegun and he’ll attempt to do the same here. However, Matthysse has been vulnerable to taking shots coming in as well as taking counters when finishing combinations himself and this is where he should’ve focused on the classic ‘hit and not get hit’ tactic.
I personally think Matthysse doesn’t have a Plan B. He will vary work rate levels to balance his own conditioning with how much he can damage Peterson, but if a Plan B does exist it’ll be to try and draw Peterson in and to catch him either to the head or body. He won’t to look to step out when countering and will continue to keep Peterson interested and probing before trying to tee off in the pocket.
Matthysse doesn’t want 12 rounds here and the possibility (again) of being robbed on points, every shot will be thrown with a KO in mind. Why an Iron Will is Key: Willpower is the key because although I believe the approach of both fighters will be different, the one that sticks to their gameplan will come out on top. If Peterson gets dragged into a war, he’ll lose.
If Matthysse finds himself getting countered, he can’t get frustrated and start lashing wildly, he’s going to need the discipline to change tactics and adjust to make Peterson in and lure him into a false sense of security.
Both these routes isn’t only going to take it’s physical toll but will be exhausting mentally and if either one falters in their concentration, it may be goodnight. My Prediction: This is one of the toughest fights to call this year so far. I’m hoping for fireworks but expecting a few cagey opening rounds as Matthysse looks to press and Peterson looks to counter.
In the middle rounds the fight will pick up and we’ll see some consistent exchanges. The later rounds is where the real action will be and we could be in for an absolute classic as both fighters will know it’s close and will look to unload to pick those rounds up, it’s here where the stoppage is most likely, either retiring from a cut, corner throwing the towel in or straight up KTFO. There’s a lot at stake here and the man with the iron will is going to prevail. And so… Matthysse to win by SD or late stoppage!
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