Ok so I fully admit the title to this article was easy pickings. The exact opposite of the opponent Lucas Matthysse will be facing this Saturday on HBO. Unlike the Broner/Allakhvediev bout, this HBO matchup should and will have a championship belt at stake. Will Matthysse get this much needed victory or will Postol outmaneuver Lucas? One thing that’s almost certain is the style in which both men fight producing at the all-action backdrop of the StubHub center.
Both combatants are fighting for pride and a chance to win their first full championship belt. That’s not to say it will decide who is best at junior welterweight. For all the hype about Matthysse’s power surprisingly he has yet to win a full blown title. Meanwhile Viktor Postol found himself lost in the alphabet shuffle having to wait and/or step aside while engaging Danny Garcia in a fight. With Garcia now out of the division a new lineal title will need to be formed.
Postol has been fed a stream of faded-veteran guys for most of his career with the exemption of Hank Lundy still in the prime of career. Postol lacks in experience at the top level and power punching. He does have some good skills and the ability to out-hustle his opposition. A trait that could serve him well judging by the lack of success Matthysse’s had when facing that style.
Instead of merely slugging it out with Lucas, Viktor will need all the tools in his arsenal. If Postol can use his jab and subtle foot movement he may frustrate Matthysse the way Zab Judah, Devon Alexander, and even Danny Garcia were able to do at times on the outside. It won’t be easy and Postol will defiantly have to remain active to keep pace on the judge’s scorecard which one could assume would favor “The Machine”.
For Lucas it’s all about patience mixed with technique. Instead of settling to score during exchanges in his last bout versus Ruslan Provodnikov, Lucas went outside of the box. At times he would dig inside alongside Ruslan. In other moments he looked to stay active with combinations on the outside by using his jab while turning Provodnikov.
In this fight he will look to mainly pressure Postol to force him out of his comfort zone. What Lucas can’t do if he wants to win is follow Postol around the ring. Although this scribe gave Matthysse the nod against Devon Alexander, there were too many long stretches during several rounds that he was content to follow. If he makes the mistake of following Postol and remains too patient in an attempt to land one big KO punch, Lucas will come up short once again.
Matthysse’s experience with so many high level guys like Lamont Peterson, Garcia, and Provodnikov, has me leaning his way. The power in Matthysse’s overhand right and left hook delivered with skill will be the key to victory on Saturday night in Southern California.
This back and forth fight will stay that way until the mid rounds when Lucas begins to land his heavy stuff. At that point will find out how good Postol’s chin is and his ability to smother Matthysse on the inside. Lucas has failed at the higher levels of 140 before and this fight will severe as a measuring stick for both men.
My official prediction is Lucas Matthysse by late TKO or Unanimous Decision.
Side Note: In the HBO Co-Feature Humberto Soto takes on Juan Orozco. Soto is a great test for the young Orozco, who’s looking to make a big statement. This one could go either way because of Soto’s skill, power, and chin. If Orozco passes this test it won’t be without a great effort from Humberto.
Written by Chris Carlson Owner and Host of RopeADopeRadio blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio
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