By Ben Jacobs
Lucas Matthysse's head trainer believes that boxing skill and not power will be the difference when his man faces Ruslan Provodnikov on April 18 in Verona, New York.
Luis 'Cuty' Barrera, who has been the Argentine's trainer for his entire professional career, told BoxingScene that he is confident in Matthysse's ability to win the fight either via decision or knockout, but hopes their Russian rival will start on the attack.
"I hope Provodnikov comes to attack Lucas. all the fights we have prepared for, be it [John] Molina or [Roberto] Ortíz, when they come to attack Lucas shows he is a better boxer, he punches hard as well of course.
"If Provodnikov comes to go toe-to-toe, it's going to be a great fight because Lucas doesn't take a back step either. They both have heavy hands. But speed is important here and Lucas is quicker than him. But we will not underestimate Provodnikov, you should always respect the opponent."
Barrera conceded that he hadn't studied Provodnikov in any great depth, or at least no more than he would study any other opponent.
"Well of course we look at videos of our opponents. If the fight goes as I think it will, you'll see a great boxing display. Lucas is more of a boxer than a puncher. He's going to give him a boxing lesson. He is prepared to go 12 rounds but if there's a knockout then so much the better.
"We will train in Argentina until April 11, we'll leave that day for the United States. We have very good sparring here in our gym so we will train here as always."
No world title will be on the line for this bout but 'Cuty' believes its importance and attraction as one of the year's standout fights more than compensates for that.
"Lucas wanted to fight for the world title but the governing bodies determine all that. We have to fight this fight for a world title shot.
"He's very motivated to fight someone like this because it leads to a world title, be it against García or someone else."
