Lucas Matthysse following his triumph over Lamont Peterson on Saturday night (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)
By Chris Robinson
The boxing world is still abuzz over Lucas Matthysse’s incredible knockout over Lamont Peterson on Saturday night.
Inside of the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, Matthysse, the WBC interim champion at 140 pounds, would drop the highly-regarded Peterson three times for a resounding third round TKO that highlighted his power and precision.
The building was packed with boxing luminaries for Matthysse’s triumph, including living legend and reigning IBF light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins.
Never one to overly-gush about his fellow prizefighters, Hopkins couldn’t help but give Matthysse praise following his victory
Speaking with Kugan Cassius of IFilmLondon, Hopkins touched on a few topics, including a Matthysse duel with WBA/WBC champion Danny Garcia and his reasoning as to why Amir Khan would suffer the same fate as Peterson if given a chance with Matthysse.
This is what Hopkins had to share.
Matthysse announcing himself as the sport’s next superstar…
“What a devastating punch, man. We have a superstar in boxing right now and it’s Matthysse. To able to execute and hit one of the premier fighters of this time with one punch and knock him out is unbelievable.”
Sizing up a Matthysse clash with Danny Garcia…
“It would be a good fight and it would be an exciting fight for boxing. It’s one of those showdowns that is going to be built up. Richard Schaefer was talking earlier how we are going to build these big matches for the people and everyone. This is what we need. Business-wise, it’s good for boxing leading up.”
What Garcia has to do in order to have success against Matthysse…
“Being a friend, I speak my mind and I speak it clearly; Danny will have to be super super duper on his game to be able to offset Matthysse. Matthysse, right now, to me, from what I’ve seen in Lamont Peterson, who hasn’t been demolished the way he got today, it speaks for itself. It speaks volumes of what Matthysse is about. I’ve seen middleweights who don’t hit as hard as this guy hits.”
How Amir Khan may attempt to fight Matthysse if they ever meet…
“Matthysse and Amir Khan? I think Amir Khan would do what I think Peterson should have done early in the fight, which is give some movement, give some jabs, take him into deep waters. And hopefully, some punches he [misses] will take an effect on Matthysse. But [Peterson] stayed there and he tried to fight fire with fire and when you do that, you get burnt. Because fire doesn’t put out fire; water does.”
Favoring Matthysse to end Khan’s night early…
“So, when you see Amir Khan, who has a little more boxing ability and a little bit more braveness, sometimes for his own good, I sort of see the same outcome. Probably even a little bit earlier. Because, the strategy of the fight game with some has to be taught. And if it aint taught, they will try to fight fire right away, when they should just use their strength for their weaknesses and their weaknesses for their strength. That’s why I think that would be a fight where Matthysse will actually catch up with Amir Khan, because Amir Khan is known for fighting brave. I think it would just be something where it would just be a back and forth fight early, but then I think Matthysse would catch up with him.”
Pulling for Carl Froch to defeat Mikkel Kessler next weekend so that he can face him this year…
“Tell Froch that either he comes across the pond or I’ll come across the pond. Or we meet halfway. But, if he wins, I’m going to get him. I’m hoping he wins and do think he’ll win and if he don’t win, I’ll be really upset.”
PLEASE CHECK OUT Kugan’s interview with Bernard Hopkins and other updates from the boxing world
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Amir Khan claims he would love to face Lucas Matthysse
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Roger Mayweather reveals why most people don’t know sh*t about boxing
Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com