By Edward Chaykovsky
Lucas Matthysse (37-3, 34 KOs) is hoping that a victory over unbeaten Viktor Postol (27-0, 11 KOs), scheduled for October 3rd at the StubHub Center in Carson, California will catapult him into a major pay-per-view fight with Manny Pacquiao in 2016.
The fight with Postol, with the vacant WBC junior welterweight championship at stake, will be televised by HBO.
Matthysse's fight earlier this year with Ruslan Provodnikov is regarded as one of the better fights of 2016. He expects another Fight of The Year candidate with Postol.
"I'm expecting all action again. It's for the world title," Matthysse said to the LA Times. "That's my style of fighting. I come forward and am prepared to give it all I have in the ring. To just fight. Particularly with this fight, something I really want, I’m prepared to go all the way with it."
"Every fighter has their own style. The hit-and-don't-get-hit fighters aren't scared," Matthysse said. "But I think my style is more fan friendly. People come to watch excitement. I feel proud that people consider the Provodnikov one of the best fights of the year. It depends what Viktor brings to the ring, but I’m prepared to win."
A few days ago, Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum, who promotes Pacquiao, said Matthysse was one of the leading names to face Pacquiao in the first quarter of 2016. Other names being considered include Amir Khan, Kell Brook and Terence Crawford.
“A very big fight with Pacquiao would be my goal. I want to keep fighting the best fighters, in my division and in the game," Matthysse said.
