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By Cliff Rold - It would be absurd to call a fight between two talented men in their 20s, both with only a single defeat, a must-win situation. ‘Do or die’ would be hyperbolic.
However, in the world of limited TV dates and starts that often favor winners first, it’s not entirely off the mark. Alexander comes in directly off his first loss, a lackluster showing in a unification match with Timothy Bradley earlier this year. Cut in the fight, Alexander didn’t look like winning, like fighting through crimson, meant everything to him.
Matthysse was the opposite, leaving the impression of hunger and just a hint of romance. There were plenty who thought he did enough to get by former Welterweight champion Zab Judah in his HBO debut last summer. Judah has gone on to reclaim gold at Jr. Welterweight, the division’s veteran hand. Matthysse could just as easily have had that belt.
Saturday, a WBO eliminator means a belt opportunity is on the line. Matthysse can ride romance only so far. Failure Saturday could pigeonhole him as fun but not worth counting on to pull out the big one.
Looks can be deceiving. They can also create impressions that demand rebuttal. Jr. Welterweight remains probably the deepest pool of young, serious talent in the sport. Both winner and loser on Saturday have a future. [Click Here To Read More]
However, in the world of limited TV dates and starts that often favor winners first, it’s not entirely off the mark. Alexander comes in directly off his first loss, a lackluster showing in a unification match with Timothy Bradley earlier this year. Cut in the fight, Alexander didn’t look like winning, like fighting through crimson, meant everything to him.
Matthysse was the opposite, leaving the impression of hunger and just a hint of romance. There were plenty who thought he did enough to get by former Welterweight champion Zab Judah in his HBO debut last summer. Judah has gone on to reclaim gold at Jr. Welterweight, the division’s veteran hand. Matthysse could just as easily have had that belt.
Saturday, a WBO eliminator means a belt opportunity is on the line. Matthysse can ride romance only so far. Failure Saturday could pigeonhole him as fun but not worth counting on to pull out the big one.
Looks can be deceiving. They can also create impressions that demand rebuttal. Jr. Welterweight remains probably the deepest pool of young, serious talent in the sport. Both winner and loser on Saturday have a future. [Click Here To Read More]
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