By Miguel Rivera
Argentinean banger Lucas Matthysse (37-4, 34 KOs) finally reported to his camp in California on Wednesday with new trainer Joel Diaz.
Matthysse is finally returning to the ring on May 6 in Las Vegas, when he faces against Emanuel Taylor at the T-Mobile Arena. The fight will mark Matthysse's debut in the welterweight division.
Matthysse vs. Taylor will be part of the HBO Pay-Per-View undercard to the all-Mexican battle between Canelo Alvarez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Matthysse has not been in the ring since getting knocked out in ten rounds by Ukrainian Viktor Postol in October 2015 in California, when the two boxers battled for the vacant super lightweight crown of the World Boxing Council.
His absence from the ring was due in part to an injury that he suffered to his eye during the loss to Postol. He was initially scheduled to return last May in Las Vegas as part of the Canelo Alvarez vs. Amir Khan undercard, but he stepped away from that position after feeling that his eye needed more time to heal.
After the loss to Postol, Matthysse felt that some changes were necessary - to his weight and to his corner. He decided on hiring Diaz, who is best known for guiding Timothy Bradley to two worlds titles. Diaz, who has a strong stable of fighters, has trained numerous other champions, top fighters and prospects.
Matthysse hit camp in very good condition and Diaz expects the two of them to hit it off.
"This morning he did physical work and he looked very good, this afternoon we will be working for the first time in the gym but from what I saw we will do well. He came here in good condition and hopefully we will [get things going together real] soon so I can see his work and he can see mine," Diaz said to ESPN Deportes.