By Jake Donovan
Lucas Matthysse was strategically placed in supporting capacity to Adrien Broner’s homecoming in Cincinnati with the intention of building momentum for a head-on collision down the road.
Both fighters did their part to keep it alive, each posting wins Saturday evening on a Showtime-televised card at the U.S. Bank Arena. Broner was forced to overcome a major scare, rallying to score a dramatic 12th round knockdown en route to a close but clear points win over Emmanuel Taylor.
Matthysse’s fight was considerably easier. A body shot forced previously unbeaten Roberto Ortiz to a knee late in round two, only for referee Benji Esteves to never give him a fighting chance to continue. The anti-climactic ending didn’t go according to script, fitting since Matthysse also spoke of a future that didn’t necessarily involve the evening’s intention.
“I would like the rematch against Danny Garcia,” Matthysse (36-3, 34KO) proclaimed – repeatedly – after the fight, both in the ring and during the post-fight press conference.
The motivation for a rematch to attempt to avenge a points loss suffered to the unbeaten 140 lb. king last September in Las Vegas. Matthysse’s reputation as boxing’s most feared took a slight hit, even more so earlier this year when forced to climb off the canvas to stop John Molina Jr. in the 11th round of their Fight of the Year contender.
Saturday’s effort was far more relaxing, even if not as satisfying. Ortiz carried a WBC Silver title in addition to an unbeaten record, the former now in the hands of Matthysse and putting him in line for a future shot at Garcia.
However, such a fight can’t yet be made given that the sanctioning body has already ordered Garcia to next face mandatory challenger Viktor Postol. The bout is scheduled to go to purse bids this week, which means Garcia would likely have to give up at least one title if he were to entertain a rematch with Matthysse.
The Argentine slugger has no problem with that scenario.
“Being for a title or no title at stake, I want to fight Danny Garcia,” Matthysse insists. “I (dare) Danny Garcia to not be a chicken. Stop fighting smaller fighters.”
Should his wishes go ungranted, there’s always plan B – or plan A.B.
“If not, then I want to fight Broner,” Matthysse relented.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com, as well as a member of Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
