By Elisinio Castillo
WBA 'regular' welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse (39-4, 36 KOs), 35 years old, is very motivated to land a very big fight in the near future.
Last month, Matthysse finally achieved his dream of getting a world title - when he knocked out undefeated Tewa Kiram in the eight round at The Forum in Los Angeles, California.
In a very lackluster fight, where neither boxer was very impressive, Matthysse finally caught up with Kiram in the eight round - scoring two knockdowns for the stoppage win.
Matthysse says the contest was far from easy for him.
It appeared as if Kiram was looking for a way out and some even accused him of taking a dive in the final round.
"He was a very big opponent. He came out there to move a lot, to avoid a fight, it seemed like he did not want to fight. After the fifth round I started to find him and turn things around. I thought he was going to fight more. I think he came out to survive, to hold on, but luckily the fight ended the way it did, it took me a little bit, but we won it," Matthysse said.
"With the left I hit him good, with the right I touched him [for the first knockdown], and then in the second knockdown the left landed very good. The shot arrived at the right moment, I hooked it and it hurt. He went to the hospital."
"The preparation I did in Trelew was very good. I had an excellent preparation, I did not get tired, I was not without strength in my arms or legs. I was very good. This was a fight that had to be won. The people want the knockout, and I ended up with a good knockout."
If he would have lost that contest, Matthysse says he would have retired without a second of hesitation.
"This was the last chance I gave myself. I knew that this was my last world title chance and my last chance. If I lost I was going to retire. Now we have to keep fighting. I want a fight with some important fighter," Matthysse said.
"I started to box at the age of 11, now I am 35. I had already been interim champion but now I am absolute champion. Now I'm going for big fights. To defend the title. Now I hope that good boxers will come. I'm not doing this for money, I'm doing it to fulfill a dream."