By Luis Sandoval

Lamont Peterson is gearing up for his second fight of 2013 as he will take on hard hitting Argentinean Lucas Matthysse May 18th at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. This bout pits two of the best champions in the division and promises to be an explosive match up.

Matthysse has been on a tear as of late and considered one of the best and most avoided guys at 140. His punching power has been put on display in his last few outings and he along with Gennady Golovkin are today’s version of the “boogie man”.

Peterson was on the most recent edition of BoxingScene Radio and discussed his upcoming fight with Matthysse. The reigning IBF champion isn’t concerned with the hype surrounding Matthysse’s punching power and believes he has to prepare for everything his opponent has to offer.

“A lot of times in boxing when you have a big puncher, it’s the way it goes. It’s a lot of hype behind the big puncher. A lot of talk behind the big puncher. But I’m not worried about his punching power or anything like that. He’s kind of underrated in the skill department and those are things I’m really focused on and really keying [in] on. Me and my coach are coming up with game plans to overcome that; not his big punch. But a lot of times like I said when you get that big puncher, it’s always [going to be] a lot of hype” Peterson would tell BoxingScene Radio.

After a year long layoff, Lamont put on a dominant and impressive performance against Kendall Holt this past February as his own power was put on display. Peterson is a good inside fighter and said he’s more than willing to go into the fire and stand toe to toe with Lucas.

“Of course I’m willing to go toe to toe with anyone. Inside fighting, if I go toe to toe with anybody I think I have a good chance of winning that fight. He’s underrated in [the skill] department but I just think at the end of the day me being able to do multiple things, me being able to sit down with him when I want to and being able to move when I want to will be the difference. I think with him, if we sit there and go toe to toe and he gets in trouble, I really don’t see him being able to box me off him” said Peterson.

The winner of Peterson-Matthysse is slated to face Danny Garcia in the Fall. Much like Top Rank mixing and matching their fighters at 140 and 147, Golden Boy is doing the same as this fight will serve as part of the first leg of the unofficial 140 pound tourney they are staging.

To listen to Peterson’s interview in its entirety, you can listen to the BoxingScene Radio podcast: http://tobtr.com/s/4666825

You can follow Luis Sandoval on Twitter @Truewest007. You can also tune in to BoxingScene Radio, Boxingscene’s official audio show every Tuesday from 6-8PM PST with hosts Ernest Gabion, Luis Sandoval, and Ryan Burton.