By Elisinio Castillo

Dangerous welterweight puncher Lucas Matthysse (38-4, 35 knockouts), 35 years old, is still looking for some payback from 2013, when he lost a twelve round unanimous decision to Danny Garcia (33-1, 19 KOs) - which took place on the Floyd Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez underdog at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Garcia is back in action on February 17th, when he takes on Brandon Rios in a WBC final eliminator from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

In 2015, Matthysse was knocked out for the first time when he was lost to Viktor Postol - as they fought for the vacant WBC junior welterweight title.

Because he suffered a fractured orbital bone in the loss to Postol, he was out of  the ring until May of 2017, when he made his move to the welterweight division and knocked out Emmanuel Taylor.

Matthysse is training hard with coach Joel Diaz and sparring with undefeated Vergil Ortiz and his friend Marcelino "Nino" López (who will also fight on January 27 at The Forum).

"I think it's key for me to win. I know it's also important for Argentine boxing, which is why I sacrifice myself, that's why I came to Indio and I did not spend the holidays celebrating but working and that's why I'm going to win," said Matthysse.

"I also know that if I win, in good fashion, the big fights will come. I'm willing to fight with anyone, but if I had the ability to make the choice - I would want a rematch with Danny Garcia."

"We have worked very well with the team of Joel Díaz, I love the assembly and the understanding that exists. We saw several fights [of Kiram] on YouTube, there are no secrets nowadays, I noticed that he's a tall guy and a good fighter, but the important thing is that with Joel and his brother Toño, my brother-in-law and Mario Arano - we are going to have an excellent preparation."