By Jake Donovan

Lucas Matthysse and Viktor Postol are set to reap the benefits of political patience. Both were in line for title shots and forced to endure a list of reasons as to why that opportunity hadn't yet come.

The fan-friendly venue has gained an industry-wide repuation for churning out Fight of the Year entrants. Matthysse (37-3, 34KOs) starred in the most recent winner, twice climbing off the canvas to knock out John Molina Jr. last April.

It was his first ring appearance following a 12-round loss to Danny Garcia in their World title fight the previous September, and for several rounds had to think where the hell his career was going. But Matthysse ultimately prevailed, coming out ahead in a savage war honored by Boxing Writers Assocation of America as 2014 Fight of the Year.

He has since added to his ledger victories over Roberto Ortiz and fellow 140 lb. tough guy Ruslan Provodnikov to inch closer to the title picture.

For Postol (27-0, 11KOs) it's been a far different set of circumstances. The rangy boxer (somehow effortlessly squeezing down to 140 lbs. at 5'11") from Ukraine has been strung along for more than a year in waiting on a long overdue title shot.

The 31-year old contender - who trains out of Freddie Roach's Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, Calif. - gained noteriety beyond the hardcore fans beginning with his 11th round knockout of Selcuk Aydin last May. With the win was supposed to come a shot at Garcia, but he was convinced to wait his turn.

Playing the game, Postol was offered an undercard slot on Garcia's non-title fight win over Lamont Peterson earlier this year. His appearance on the card resulted in a stay-busy eight-round win, but instead of leading to a title shot versus Garcia, is given a consolation prize in facing Matthysse for the vacant crown.

Can Postol maintain his unbeaten ways, and shut down "The Machine" in realizing his championship dream? Or will Matthysse simply go "Postol" and capture his first full-fledged world title?

Read on to see how the staff at BoxingScene.com believes the action will go down tonight at the house where hit fights are made.

BOXINGSCENE.COM STAFF PREDICTIONS: JOSE PEDRAZA vs. EDNER CHERRY

Ryan Burton (Matthysse TKO11):  I think Postol gives The Machine problems early but Matthysse's pressure finally gets to Postol and he stops him late.

Jake Donovan (Matthysse TKO7): Sometimes, superior height and reach in a matchup are advantages. Other times, the taller fighter serves as a longer target for his sparkplug opponent. Matthysse overcomes early awkward moments - perhaps even giving away a few rounds (though not by choice) - to eventually break apart Postol.

Michael Gibbons (Matthsyee Unan. Dec.): Close fight that requires Matthysse to come on late and pull away.

Peter Lim (Matthysse KO4): Matthysse's murderous knockout power has overshadowed his underrated pugilistic IQ; he reads his opponents well, has sound fundamentals and can punch from difficult angles. He might be troubled momentarily by the lanky Ukrainian's height and reach advantage but his big-fight experience allows him to find a way to close the distance within the first couple of rounds. The Argentine emphatically demolishes Postol's unbeaten record with his bread-and-butter combination, the left-right-left hook, in the fourth round.

Takahiro Onaga (Matthysse TKO10): Postol has early success with his reach and jab but tires and gets stopped by the Machine

Cliff Rold (Matthysse Dec.): Postol could give Matthysse fits but he's going to get tagged like he never has. Matthysse is an underrated boxer and should pull away in the second half. He might get a stoppage but going with the points nod.

Victor Salazar (Matthysse KO10): Maybe it’s a little under the radar but Lucas Matthysse is in a tough fight this weekend against Postol. Matthysse for all his accomplishments and good fights has never won a world title. Postol is no slouch with wins over Hank Lundy and Selcuk Aydin, is a skilled boxer. Though Matthysse showed his boxing ability against Ruslan Provodnikov, he will be better served to make it a war against the lighter hitting Postol.

Reynaldo Sanchez (Matthysse late TKO):  I think it will be a fight in two stages, first we will see Postol using the jab to keep out Lucas Matthysse; then when Matthysse decrypt the Postol defense, this fight will be another story.

Alexey Sukachev (Postol Maj. Dec.): I'll lean to an upset here. Postol is a profound boxer and he is both strong-willed and rock-chinned. Matthysse, on the other hand, doesn't feel good enough against smooth durable boxers with timing. Even with his skills improved I think Postol will outbox Matthysse just barely to outweigh tonnage of Lucas's punches.

Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com.
Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
Facebook Page: JakeBScene