By Ben Jacobs

Lucas Matthysse returns to action on September 6 against hard-punching Mexican, Roberto Ortíz in Cincinnati, Ohio.  The Argentine last fought in April against John Molina in a thrilling bout in which he emerged victorious via stoppage in round 11.  After the bout Matthysse returned to his homeland where he was able to have a good rest with his family before resuming training for his upcoming encounter.  BoxingScene was able to talk briefly with Lucas via telephone following a training session during which he revealed that he will be sparring Luis Carlos Abregú as preparations wind down before he travels to the United States.

BoxingScene.com: How much do you know about Roberto Ortíz?

We’ve some seen some videos of him on the internet.  You can see that he’s a boxer who punches hard but so do I and I’m preparing well for this new fight.  Every fight is a challenge, he hasn’t fought much away from home, I have more experience than him and I’m giving 100% in training to arrive in good shape.

BoxingScene.com: Did you want a bigger fight than this?  Possibly a rematch against Danny García?

I respect all my opponents but I think I deserved to have a different rival or be on a bigger show.  I’ve just had some hard fights, I lost to Danny García but I think I deserve a big fight.  I just train and fight whoever they put in front of me, but yes, I would like a slightly bigger challenge to see where I am at.

BoxingScene.com: What are your thoughts on John Molina looking back at that fight?

He was a very tough rival, we knew we’d have a tough fight, he was strong.  I had to come back after the loss to García and I did well.  It was important to win to keep having big fights in America.  It was a good fight.

I think I was winning, he caught me and I went down but apart from the knockdowns I was doing well.  I knew I had to comeback quick because even though I was winning the rounds, the fact that I suffered two knockdowns would make things difficult on the scorecards.

BoxingScene.com: Was he the hardest puncher you have ever faced?

The boxer who hit me the hardest in my career was Humberto Soto, he was the only one whose punches I really felt.  Molina caught me and I went down but I didn’t feel his punches too much.  Soto punched very hard though.

BoxingScene.com: How do you view the current progress of Danny García?

He just fought with a fighter who is a fourth or fifth level type boxer.  He should give [Mauricio] Herrera or me a rematch but it seems like he will now fight Lamont Peterson, so I don’t know what will happen next.  He doesn’t seem to want a rematch with me.

I want an important fight, I think I deserve it, maybe a rematch with Peterson if he wins, but we’ll see.