Eastside Boxing Articles:

1. Froch beats Kessler, avenges previous loss

IBF super middleweight champion Carl Froch (31-2, 22 KOs) avenged his earlier
defeat to WBA super middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler (46-3, 35 KOs) by beating
him by a 12 round unanimous decision tonight in front of a packed O2 Arena in
London, England. Both fighters ended getting hurt with big shots before the fight was
done, but in the end Froch did enough to win a 12 round unanimous decision.
After the fight Froch said He was there to hurt me on a couple of occasions he did
hurt me, but I hit him with the bigger shots and I was close to the knockout in the end.
Im really, really happy. I just kept at range with the jab all night long.
Froch was hurt a round earlier in the 11th by some big shots from Kessler. In the 12th,
Froch had Kessler close to being stopped but he couldnt land a big enough punch to
finish the job. That was something that Kessler had pointed out before the fight;
namely Froch doesnt have the kind of power to finish an opponent with one punch.
Froch needs to hit his opponents repeatedly with big shots before he get stop them.
Against Kessler, it wasnt going to happen and I think Kessler would have survived
another three rounds had he wanted to because Froch didnt have the speed to put his
shots together.
The fight really wasnt that great to watch from a fans perspective. Most of the
rounds liked identical to each other with Froch standing in the center of the ring
throwing a jab and not much else.
When Froch would try and change it up, hed frequently miss with his attempts to land
power shots. It wasnt that Kessler was great defensively; its just that Frochs lack of
hand speed made it easy for Kessler to go out of the way of his shots.
Froch did land when the two where in close holding onto each other. Froch would use
those opportunities to throw rabbit punches to the back of Kesslers head without the
referee doing anything to stop or warn Froch doing that.
Kessler didnt look like he was mentally prepared for a war, and thats what he would
have needed in order to win tonight. He led too many rounds slip through his fingers
because afraid to rush past Frochs land his shots. It was a failure to launch on
Kesslers part and thats clearly why he lost the fight tonight.

2. Froch Decisions Kessler

IBF super middleweight champion Carl Froch (31-2, 22 KOs) labored to a 12 round
unanimous decision on Saturday night over WBA super middleweight champion Mikkel
Kessler (46-3, 35 KOs) at the O2 Arena in London, UK. The judges scored the fight
118-110, 116-112 and 115-113. The last score was the more accurate score compared
to the other two.

Froch barely beat Kessler. Had Kessler won the 12th round, I would have scored it a
draw. It was pretty sad scoring of the fight. Neither looked good. You cant say Froch
looked good because he spent the entire night missing punches and throwing a limp
jab that would have been easily countered by a good fighter like Andre Ward.
Kessler looked like a shot fighter, and nothing like what he was in his prime in 2007
before his fight with Joe Calzaghe. That version of Kessler would have taken Froch to
lunch tonight. It wouldnt have been close, but this version seemed afraid to pull the
trigger. Ive never seen Kessler so hesitant before. He just looked shot and thats not
because of what Froch as doing. Kessler didnt seem like the same fighter he was
years ago. He needs to retire.
Kessler hurt Froch in the 11th round with a big right hand that staggered Froch.
Kessler then teed off on Froch with a flurry of shots. Froch to his credit came back in
the last seconds to land a few shots, but mostly miss.
In the 12th round, Froch hurt Kessler with a hard right hand but he was unable to
finish him because he was tied up by Kessler and then missed with most of his
remaining power shots.
Froch did not look good tonight and its difficult to picture him being able to compete
with Andre Ward in a rematch, if thats what he plans on doing. The victory might give
Froch confidence to finally face Ward again, but then again maybe not. If Froch sees
the replay of the fight hell probably choose not to fight Ward again because he would
get badly beaten.

3. Froch Wins Again, But Not Against Ward

Froch dominated Kessler, and will again if they have a third fight. Kesslers style is too
predictable and not busy enough. He lost because he failed to manage distance very
well. He failed to take advantage of his hand speed and straighter punches. Ward did
not and will not make those mistakes.
Froch got away with his unorthodoxy, because (to use a baseball phrase), Kessler
failed to keep his eye on the ball. Froch hardly ever makes that mistake, and Ward
never does. He is always focused, and ready to take advantage of miistakes at an
instant. Froch gets away with throwing looping shots, because someone like Kesslers
defense is too simple. He either tries to block the punch, and many times
unsuccessfully, or duck under it.
Unfortunately for Kessler, when he ducks under the punch he doesnt go down and
around. In other words, he doesnt comes up on outside of his opponents blow.
Instead, Kesslers back remains there there for Froch to push down on. Froch would
does it just momentarily to be effective, but not long enough to receive a warning.
Then when Kessler comes back up, hes right in front of Froch, and available for
Frochs left.

Kessler also moved straight back too often. He would avoid the first two punches of
Frochs combination, but not the third. He should have been letting his hands go, with
fast straight shots inside the looping punches of Froch. That not only would break up
Frochs combination, but would also catch Froch moving right into the punches.
Kessler seemed reluctant to do so and it cost him the fight. It will again if they fight a
third time.
But, if Froch fights Ward a second time, he will find out once again that he cannot get
way with his unorthodox tactics. Ward will make him pay for carrrying his hand low. He
will make him pay for looping his punches. And, he will not be there to be pushed
down on as Kessler was in their second match Saturday.
Froch admitted after his first loss to Ward that Andre was the ring general. He
admitted that S.O.G beat him on the inside, and on the outside. He couldnt get him to
fight at his best distance. More than one of Wards opponents have felt the same way.
That fact will not change if they fight again. Froch is like the tiger who cant change
his stripes. His vulnerabilities will not miraculously disappear. Just because Kessler
couldnt expose them doesnt mean Ward wont. Ward is faster, smarter and more
versatile than either Kessler or Froch. He can fight inside, outside and side to side. He
can transition from right to left, and up and down. Certainly theres the outside chance
he could get caught with one, but its doubtful one will be enough to do him in.
No, its a pretty good bet that Ward could repeat his victories over either man, and
just as easily as he did the first time. Like most fighters, both men need their jabs to
work off of, and neither can land it against Ward, but the reverse is true. Ward will
once again let Kessler over extend and run right into the top of his head. He will
seemingly be moving out, and then shock and surprise either man by being right back
in their face. No one has been able to defend against that move. For one thing, they
never know when it migt be coming. But, just as they relax, hes back in their face
before they realize whats happening. Kessler will also be vulnerable defensively, as
he was against Froch, by moving straight back. Ward will make him pay.
With Froch, Ward will get inside the London Loopers punches, but he wont stay there
like Kessler. He will be inside only long enough to inflict his painful sting and then be
gone in an instant. Froch will once again be frustrated, and then make even more
mistakes trying to retaliate. He will catch one or more of Wards blows, and Ward is
even better at Frochs style of transitioning. Froch has been known to move from
righty to lefty in such a way as to frustrate and confuse his opponents. But, with Ward
hell once again experience that Andre is faster, smoother and more accurate with
punches thrown from either side. Ward will make Froch pay for keeping his hands low.
Look for Ward to unload lead rights followed by a left hook. Frochs normal
tremendous concentration and focus will be break down, because he wont
understand that even his unorthodox style will be easily read by the master. He will
feel bogged down, twarted, and muzzled like a disobedient terrier.

4. Left-Hook Lounge: Froch, Hopkins, Ward, & Matthysse

Marshall T. (Queens, NYC): When you look at Carl Frochs resume, he has faced
everyone who is someone in the super-middleweight division. Andre Ward is being
considered for a rematch, but Hopkins makes a strong case too. Who do you think he
should face and why?
Vivek W. (ESB): This is a very interesting scenario we have brewing here. In Andre
Ward, we have arguably the #2 best fundamentally sound fighter in the sport. In
Bernard Hopkins, we have what can be defined literally as a living and active legend.
His historical effort in the sport may never be duplicated again. When we look at who
Froch should face next, I think its actually an easier decision than many think. Ward
and Froch have faced off. To be quite frank, it wasnt even really close. Ward whitewashed him on the cards and although Froch will make adequate adjustments to
compete, when the smoke clears, does anyone really think the outcome changes? Im
not so sure it does.
I think he should ultimately face both guys. But relative to who he should face next? I
think without doubt it should be Bernard Hopkins. Of the two, Hopkins is a more
notable global name. Ward is absolutely incredible, and hes a talent that many have
seen me boast since well prior to the Super-Six Tournament. But Hopkins is an icon.
Hes legendary. Froch has faced everyone on the radar..but him! I think win, lose, or
draw, this could be the feather in his cap that Froch needs to solidify himself as one of
his countries true greats of this era. Ward is a young fighter. Hes on the rise and hell
be there. Why wait for Hopkins to get old overnight, or potentially walk away?
Without hesitation, if I was advising Froch, Hopkins in Wembley Stadium would be the
name I target first and foremost. Golden Boy Promotions and Frochs promoters would
make it an epic affair in the U.K. Right now Froch is in a perfect position. Hes facing
the proverbial westside of his career watching the sunset. He can face the best supermiddleweight of the modern era in America, and follow that act with a bout against
the best super-middleweight of the next American era. Old school AND new
schoolall in one swoop!
I think both men should get a crack at him, but Hopkins probably makes more sense
right now. Hes the bigger name, and without hesitation, hes willing to travel! Can
either of Americas recent best break Frochs home field advantage streak? The stage
is now set to find out! Hopkins first, Ward second! In the meantime, if Ward wants a
money fight, he can have his promoters push the Cinco de Mayo fight with Chavez. If
Mayweather and Canelo fight that night it may not be the money affair they want
(based on PPV buy rate); but itll still be a larger purse guarantee than hes EVER had.
Take Chavez.then Froch II. Only downside is a total white-wash of Froch at the hands
of Hopkins. But win, lose, or draw, my money says itll be a great night and a great
fight!

Richard B. (Houston, TX): On your radio show last week and your facebook page Ive
listened to your comments on Lucas Matthysse. You were referencing two things that I
would like you to speak on. A potential matchup against Shane Mosley, and his
(according to some) suspicious amino acid intake. Can you elaborate on both?

Vivek W. (ESB): Regarding Shane Mosley, Id like to start by saying that this isnt a
fight currently being discussed (to my knowledge). But, I do think it should be. I think
Mosley still has enough chin and power to make it a very interesting affair. And more
notably, enough of those attributes to make it competitive enough for fans to give
Lucas credit in the end for what I forecast would be an eventual win. Flipside to that is
the fact that Mosley will also have a shot at doing something most dont think hes
capable of doing at this stage. When you have power punchers like this, its a
dangerous fight for all parties involved. For all the accolades weve seen Lucas get
lately, we still have no idea how hed hold up against a shot that big.
Pacquiao and others recently avoided Shanes power, but Lucas doesnt have
Pacquiao type footwork. Hes very hittable and although he hasnt been down, we
could see his strategy change a bit if that shot Mosley landed on Mayweather
connects. That scenario would change the entire fight. I think it would be a good fight.
I think it allows Lucas to put a legendary name on his resume and serve as a bridge to
bigger fights against more modern rising stars. Relative to the amino acid scenario, I
was simply stating that its very interesting, because many fight fans arent educated
on the truth about certain products, as it relates to permissible and non-permissible
supplements in the sport.
When you think performance enhancement, you think about things like HGH. But the
reality is, several other supplements categorically fit in this same echelon. When you
take it back down to the root, the term performance enhancement is used to
describe anything that allows one man a boost over the natural ability of the other.
The logic is that basic supplements, diet, and exercise should be the only elements
used to equip each competitor. Anything else is considered performance
enhancement, and is viewed as an edge over the non-using opponent.
The irony in the amino acid scenario is that amino acids are actually banned and
deemed impermissible in the collegiate athletic ranks. No collegiate player can use
amino acids while in competition without facing consequences (Reference Link >
http://www.drugfreesport.com/newsroom/insight.asp?VolID=31&TopicID=10 ). In some
ways this may seem extreme. Particularly considering that Green Tea, excessive doses
of coffee (caffeine) and other seemingly harmless products are included in that list.
Not only do some of these products enhance performance, but some can also conceal
(intentionally or unintentionally) the trace of true banned substances. For these
reasons, several agencies ban the products.
I dont know that theres a need to ring the alarm in the case of Matthyssee. But if we
want to be truthful about it..although it isnt an HGH or anything considered to be
too incriminating, if the opponent isnt taking it, its an edge in performance
enhancement (in the eyes of some athletic bodies) and he would not be able to take
it. So far, it appears to be OK, however, it is rumored that the NSAC did in fact
confiscate the product for examination. I havent heard any additional news. Not so
sure we will, as amino acids are not banned in boxing. Then again.what is, now
days??? Stay tuned.

Kevin B. (London, UK): I think many in America continue to underestimate the true
greatness of Carl Froch. How did you rate his performance?
Vivek W. (ESB): For starters, while some would argue with the term greatness to
define Froch, I dont know that I totally agree, but I certainly wouldnt argue with
someone who feels they want to use that term to define him. On a broad scale, I think
his body of work..his resume..including all victories and defeats, have to be
considered. He truly has taken on all comers, and done an adequate job against each,
which is all we can ask of a fighter. Relative to his performance, I think it all depends
on what a person is grading on.
I love all styles of boxing. In some guys you have that constant fireworks where they
go straight at opponents like rock-em-sock-em robots and keep bangin til the last bell
sounds! That style puts cheeks-in-seats, but it doesnt totally do it for me. In Froch,
you dont have a pure fundamentalist, but he offers enough of both styles to make me
respect his delivery of his patented style. Few give him credit for his defense, but hes
actually a very crafty fighter when he wants to be. He can put hands on you and and
avoid the onslaught when he fights smart.
Against Kessler, he fought a very good fight offensively, with a busy jab and a final
punch stat that tallied over 1,000 punches. But defensively, as Lennox Lewis and
several others publicly stated, his flaws and mental lapses proved that against a truly
elite fighter he may be in for a tough night. It isnt to say he will lose. It is to say the
odds increase substantially as a result. Overall, I liked what I saw. But he will really
need to fight a disciplined fight if he plans to compete on the elite level with any true
success.

5. Audley Harrison changes his mind about retiring, will fight on

British heavyweight Audley Harrison (31-7, 23 KOs) says hes changed his mind about
retiring from the sport, and hell be continuing with his career, such as it is. Audley
had said he was retiring after he was blasted out by unbeaten Deontay Wilder (28-0,
28 KOs) in one round on April 27th in Sheffield. We should have known that Audley
wouldnt stay retired because he seems to be remaking his career after every defeat.
Audley said this to BBC: I cant walk away with that performance [against Deontay].
If I do it would haunt me until Im old and gray. I got up, they should have let him
come to finish me and let me show what I got.
Audleys got a way of thinking to where he sees defeats as opportunities. Its some
kind of self-help talk that he must have read somewhere. However, in this case it
doesnt really apply unless Audley is okay with him continuing his career as a
domestic level heavyweight.
Its pretty clear that hes not up to the task of fighting at the world level and at 41, I
think thats not going to change. Audley is what he is. If anything, hes going to get
worse before he gets better. His 1st round knockout losses to David Price and Deontay
Wilder showed where Audleys at in terms of him being able to fight at the world level.

It might be better for Audley to stay retired because I dont think hes going to be
getting too many more fights like the ones had hed had against Price, Wilder and
David Haye.
Dereck Chisora and Tyson Fury thus far have shown no interest in wanting to fight
Audley, if he cant get those guys to fight him, then hes going to have to settle for
fighting guys like Matt Skelton, Sam Sexton, Danny Williams and Michael Sprott. Will
the British boxing public want to see Audley fighting those guys? I doubt it.

6. Lucas Matthysse Blasts Lamont Peterson In Third Round Techincal Knockout Win;
Devon Alexander Outclasses And Stops Lee Purdy

ATLANTIC CITY (May 19, 2013) It took knockout artist and WBC Interim Super
Lightweight World Champion Lucas Matthysse only three rounds to claim his 32nd
knockout against IBF Junior Welterweight World Champion Lamont Peterson in front of
an excited crowd Saturday night. In the co-main event from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic
City, Devon Alexander outclassed Lee Purdy with a seventh-round technical knockout
win after Purdys corner waved the fight off.
Matthysse (34-2, 32 KOs) used the first round to feel out Peterson and promptly
picked up the pace in the second. The Argentine began landing with ferocity and
eventually dropped Peterson (31-2-1, 16 KOs) with a left hook late in the round. Early
in the third, another left hook landed flush sending Peterson down again. The IBF
World Champion beat the count, barely, and was on wobbly legs when Matthysse
came in for the finish.
Moments later, after the third knockdown courtesy of a left hook, referee Steve
Smoger waved off the fight at 2:14 of round three.
During the fight SHOWTIME boxing analyst Paulie Malignaggi spoke of Matthysses
power and said, It is literally like a bomb exploding every time he lands a punch.
After the fight, Matthysse spoke through a translator, The first round I was trying to
find out what I was bringing to the fight. After the second round I started connecting
with more force. I had two and a half months of preparation for this fight and that was
the difference.
Feeling confident, Matthysse boasted, Now I know I am the best at 140 pounds
because no one has ever dominated Peterson the way I did tonight.
When asked by SHOWTIME reporter Jim Gray if he would like to fight Unified Super
Lightweight World Champion Danny Garcia, who was in attendance at Boardwalk Hall,
Matthysse responded, Golden Boy and Al Haymon will get me that fight. Im ready for
that fight. I want to fight him.
Gray also spoke with Peterson right after the fight and asked how he felt following the
three knockdowns. Peterson said, I feel good. There is nothing physically wrong with
me right now. Of course I am upset that I lost, but so far I feel good.

On his performance, I think I got a little lazy with the jab. I started relaxing a little
bitI guess he hit me with a good shot. He did a good job. I recovered from that first
knockdown and I was okay for a while and then, eventually, he hit me again and he
hurt me again. I still thought I could have fought through it but the ref did the right
thing. I guess tonight he was (the better fighter). He won the fight fair and square
tonight. Hes a good fighter.
In the co-feature, Alexander (25-1, 14 KOs) went to work immediately, wasting no
time in taking control of the fight, confusing Purdy (20-4-1, 13 KOs) at times with a
good variation of body work and shots to the head. Purdy was able to stay in punching
range for the first few rounds, even getting off some damaging shots of his own, but
he was never able to hurt Alexander who easily stayed in control, firing shot after
shot. After the seventh, Purdys corner threw in the towel.
Alexander admitted that he wasnt able to fight to the best of his ability due to an
injury. I hurt my left hand in the first round actually. I hit him on top of the head. I
hurt my hand, but I had to get that out of my mind. I had to fight to win. I wanted to
impress tonight. My left hand was on point in camp. When I hurt my biceps, that
strengthened my left hand so it would have been popping real hard, but I hurt it. I had
to set it up softly. I wanted to use my hook and my upper cut but I couldnt.
He continued, There are going to be a lot of critics saying Purdy wasnt all that
anyway, but hes a good fighter. Over in the U.K. he beat some good guys and I think
he was very suitable. He came to fight and he gave me a good fight. I got the win. I
got the technical knockout.

7. Khan wants Matthysse fight; thinks hes got the style to beat him

Amir Khan liked what he saw of Lucas Matthysse last night in his easy 3rd round TKO
win over Lamont Peterson at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. However,
Khan saw things in Matthysses fighting style that he feels would enable him to beat
the Argentinian and he says hed like to fight him.
Khan said Id love to fight Lucas Matthysse. My style would definitely suit Matthysse
and Id beat him. This wants me to stay at 140.
Khan is moving up to 147 in his next fight, so its easy for him to say all this stuff now
about wanting to fight Matthysse when it doesnt look like its doable.
Golden Boy Promotions will be matching Khan up with either IBF welterweight
champion Devon Alexander next or Floyd Mayweather Jr. Regardless of which fighter
Khan faces, his chances of winning are not that good.
In fact, Im giving him zero chance of beating Mayweather and only 10% chance of
beating Devon Alexander. Most likely Khans experiment at 147 is going to end in
failure with him getting knocked out when hes put in against quality opposition like
Mayweather and Alexander.

Matthysse vs. Khan would be interesting fight on paper, but probably not a good fight
in reality. Matthysse has too much power and Khans chin is just too weak to take the
kinds of shots that Matthysse can land.
Khan has problems facing opponents with powerful left hooks, and thats one of
Matthysses best weapons in his arsenal. We saw how Breidis Prescott, Danny Garcia
and Julio Diaz were both able to hurt Khan with left hooks.
Now imagine Khan facing a guy like Matthysse with an even better left hook than
Prescott, Diaz and Garcia, and were looking at a fight that would be lucky if it made it
past the 1st round, even with Khan running for his life. Matthysse also has a right
hand that is nearly as powerful as his left hook. It just wouldnt be a good fight for
Khan.
I predict that Khan will be knocked out in his next fight, and then Golden Boy will have
to pull him back from facing top tier opposition again and put him back on a soft diet
like the one hes been on in his last two fights since being stopped by Danny Garcia
last year in July. Khan says his chin will be better now that hes moving up to 147, but I
dont buy that for a second. I see his chin being just as weak as before.

8. Peterson: I got reckless after Matthysse hit me on the back of the head

IBF light welterweight champion Lamont Peterson (31-2-1, 16 KOs) tried to explain
away his 3rd round TKO loss last night to Lucas Matthysse (34-2, 32 KOs), saying that
he had got angry after Matthysse nailed him in the back of the head with a rabbit
punch in a clinch during the 2nd round.
That shot caused Peterson to get out of his game plan and start slugging with
Matthysse instead of boxing him like hed done in the 1st round with good success.
Peterson said after the fight The game plan was to keep boxing. Sometime in the 2nd
round, he hit me in the back of the head. I got a little upset. I started to get a little
more reckless and I wanted to bang. I could feel the fight heating up, and I kind of
abandoned the game plan a little bit and I paid for that.
Its really not much of a surprise that Peterson abandoned the game plan he had for
the fight because it was pretty much evident that he wouldnt be able to stick to a
pure boxing game plan for 12 full rounds due to it being such a huge change from how
he normally fights.
Peterson tends to trade with his opponents, and thats something that has brought
him a lot of success during his 9-year pro career. To expect him to box for 12 rounds
without ever mixing it up with Matthysse was just impossible for him to do.
It wouldnt have been physically impossible if he had a lot of discipline, but clearly he
couldnt focus and all it took for Matthysse to get him out of his game plan was for
him to nail him with a hard shot to the back of the head during one of the clinches in
the 2nd round.

Matthysse wasnt just going to let Peterson clinch him all night long without making
him pay for those clinches, and Peterson made the mistake of reacting the wrong way
after getting hit with a rabbit shot.#
9. Matthysse not impressed with Danny Garcia

Lucas Matthysse wants to face WBA/WBC light welterweight champion Danny Garcia
(26-0, 16 KOs) next on September 7th, and hes hoping that Garcia doesnt continue
to duck the fight because he wants to get it over with by beating him and taking his
two world titles.
Matthysse isnt impressed with Garcias hand speed or his defensive ability, and he
feels its going to be easy to land his big shots on him and get out of the way of his
slow return shots.
Matthysse said I hope the fight happens, but hes a slow fighter. Hes slow and wide
open. I know Ill win that fight as well.
Matthysse wont win if he cant get Golden Boy Promotions to try and convince Garcia
to take the fight. Thus far, Garcia has shown very little interest in fighting him and its
doubtful that Matthysses 3rd round knockout win over Lamont Peterson did anything
to change his mind in that regard. If anything, Garcia might be even more reluctant to
fight Matthysse after watching what he did to Peterson.
Matthysses promoter Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions is optimistic he can
put together the Matthysse-Garcia fight, saying Its very likely [we can make the
Garcia-Matthysse fight]. We talked to his manager Al Haymon. Thats the fight we
want to do on September 7th at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. Thats a fight I
want to do. Thats a fight fight fans want to see. Danny Garcia is the type of fighter
that has never turned down anybodyhe always steps up and delivers. This was one
of the most amazing performances Ive ever seen. You cant even be touched by the
guy [Matthysse] because if you get touched youre probably going to go down.
Lets hope that Garcia can live up to Schaefers high thoughts of him because he
hasnt exactly been breaking down doors to make the fight with Matthysse in the past.
Schaefer says Garcia has never turned down anybody. He may not have turned them
down, but he also hasnt been saying yes to the fight with Matthysse.

10. Hopkins: Matthysse punches like a heavyweight

Bernard Hopkins was very impressed with the power that he saw from WBC interim
light welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse (34-2, 32 KOs) in his 3rd round TKO win
over Lamont Peterson (31-2-1, 16 KOs) last night. Hopkins compared Matthysses
power to that of a heavyweight due to his three knockdowns of the normally strongchinned Peterson.
Hopkins said after the fight Ive never seen a light welterweight punch like a
heavyweight. Im very impressed. This is the real deal. Theres a lot of people worried
at 140. Theyre not sleeping good tonight.

One of those people in the 140 lb. division who may not be sleeping well now is
WBA/WBC light welterweight champion Danny Garcia because hes going to have to
fight Matthysse in September in Washington, DC, unless Garcia chooses to duck the
fight and let the World Boxing Council strip him of his title for failing to fight his
mandatory challenger for ages.
Its definitely time for Garcia to fight Matthysse, and the only way he can get out of it
now is to vacate or if the WBC keeps letting Garcia fight other guys without stripping
him of his belt.
Matthysse showed big power in knocking Peterson down with a left hand in the 2nd,
and twice more in the 3rd round with lefts. Peterson only has himself to blame for his
two knockdowns in the 3rd round because he knew going into the fight the kind of
power that Matthysse had in both fists, and yet he still chose to stand and trade with
him in the 3rd.
Peterson must have thought he could get away with it because it was just lunacy for
him to take that kind of risk. At the post-fight press conference, Peterson said he got
upset about getting hit with a rabbit punch in the 2nd round and that led to him
wanting to pay Matthysse back.
So it sounds as if Peterson was still hot-heated about the rabbit punch a round later
because he was finished off in the 3rd round, not the 2nd round. Peterson should have
been able to calm down by the 3rd and realize that he had to fight with intelligence
instead of anger.
I dont buy Petersons excuse for why he was knocked out. He was stopped because
he couldnt handle the power of Matthysse and because he made the mistake of
trying to trade shots with him.

11. The Hardest Punchers In Boxing Today: From Heavyweight On Down!

Last night in Atlantic City, in The House That Gatti Built, we all saw a brutal and
highly efficient display of what all boxing fans both love and, deep down, crave: KO
punching power. Argentine 140-pound KO King Lucas Matthysse blew away the
previously unstopped Lamont Peterson, in so doing giving the sport a high-energy jolt
of excitement.
For as much as we can appreciate a master boxer, like, say, a Floyd Mayweather
Junior, there is nothing quite like a lights out master such as Matthysse. That said,
who are the single hardest punchers in boxing today from heavyweight on down?
Lets see:
Hardest Hitting Heavyweight: Wladimir Klitschko 51 KOs in total. Most eye-catching
KO/stoppage: KO12 Eddie Chambers, March, 2012
Hardest Hitting Cruiserweight: Guillermo Jones 31 KOs in total. Most eye-catching
KO/stoppage: TKO11 Denis Lebedev, May, 2013

Hardest Hitting Light-Heavyweight: Tavoris Cloud 19 KOs in total. Most eye-catching

KO/stoppage: TKO10 Julio Gonzalez, August, 2008
Hardest Hitting Super-Middleweight: Carl Froch 22 KOs in total. Most eye-catching
KO/stoppage: TKO5 Lucian Bute, May, 2012
Hardest Hitting Middleweight: Gennady Golovkin 23 KOs in total. Most eye-catching
KO/stoppage: KO1 Lajuan Simon, December, 2011
Hardest Hitting Light-Middleweight: Saul Alvarez 31 KOs in total. Most eye-catching
KO/stoppage: KO6 Carlos Baldomir, September, 2010
Hardest Hitting Welterweight: Manny Pacquiao 38 KOs in total. Most eye-catching
KO/stoppage: TKO12 Miguel Cotto, November, 2009
Hardest Hitting Light-Welterweight: Lucas Matthysse 32 KOs in total. Most eyecatching KO/stoppage: TKO3 Lamont Peterson, May, 2013
Hardest Hitting Lightweight: Omar Figueroa 17 KOs in total. Most eye-catching
KO/stoppage: KO1 Abner Cotto, April, 2013
Hardest Hitting Featherweight: Juan Manuel Lopez 30 KOs in total. Most eyecatching KO/stoppage: TKO2 Bernabe Concepcion, July, 2010
Hardest Hitting Super-Bantamweight: Nonito Donaire 20 KOs in total. Most eyecatching KO/stoppage: TKO9 Toshiaki Nishioka, October, 2012
Hardest Hitting Bantamweight: Hugo Ruiz 28 KOs in total. Most eye-catching
KO/stoppage: TKO4 Francisco Arce, October, 2011
Hardest Hitting Flyweight: Hernan Marquez 24 KOs in total. Most eye-catching
KO/stoppage: TKO1 Luis Concepcion, April, 2011
And the single hardest hitter Pound-for-Pound in the sport today: Lucas Martin
Matthysse!!