Photos

Photos: Lucas Matthysse, Tewa Kiram - Go Face To Face

Published

Fighters on the special double main event of Matthysse vs. Kiram and Linares vs. Gesta held a final press conference today ahead of the explosive Golden Boy Promotions card that will take place this Jan. 27 at the "Fabulous" Forum in Inglewood, Calif. In the first part of this spectacular main event, former interim WBC Super Lightweight Champion Lucas "La Maquina" Matthysse (38-4, 35 KOs) of Chubut, Argentina will take on undefeated Thai superstar Tewa Kiram (38-0, 28 KOs) in a 12-round battle for the vacant WBA Welterweight World Championship. In the second main event, Jorge "El Nino De Oro" Linares (43-3, 27 KOs) will face Mercito "No Mercy" Gesta (31-1-2, 17 KOs) in a 12-round defense of his WBA and Ring Magazine Lightweight Titles. The event will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.

Here's what today's participants said at today's press conference:

LUCAS "LA MAQUINA" MATTHYSSE, FORMER INTERIM WBC SUPERLIGHTWEIGHT:
"I'm excited this opportunity to fight for a world title. We prepared for this fight really well. We prepared in Argentina, and then finished in Indio. This Saturday, we will walk away with a world title. We know that he manages his distance well and that he has a good jab, but we prepared for that. We learned a few things, but I assure the fans that they will once again see the "Machine" this Saturday."

Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Jaron Ennis — Is the Fight FINALLY Getting Closer?

The fight U.S. boxing fans have been demanding may finally be within reach. Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs Jaron Ennis is the matchup everyone agrees on — elite vs elite, prime vs prime, no excuses.

Wednesday | Jan 7, 2026

TEWA KIRAM, PABA WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION:

"I'm very thankful that I'm fighting for a world title this Saturday against Lucas Matthysse. I'm looking forward to winning a world and taking the belt back to Thailand. Don't miss out on this great show."

JOEL DIAZ, TRAINER TO LUCAS MATTHYSSE:

"Lucas Matthysse is the type of fighter I like to train. He's aggressive. He has heavy hands. I'm committed to taking advantage of this opportunity--the opportunity that he has to win a world title. This Saturday you will see a new Lucas Matthysse."

MARIO ARANO, MANAGER TO LUCAS MATTHYSSE:

"The time has come for Lucas Matthysse. He is the face of Golden Boy Promotions and Arano Box. I'm confident that Argentina will come to a standstill this Saturday night. The world will celebrate and applaud Matthysse's victory."

TERRY LAOSUWANWAT, PROMOTER OF TEWA KIRAM:

"Tewa [Kiram] is number one. He didn't get there by luck. He worked hard for this opportunity. Tewa is taller and stronger. We are definitely not the underdog, and you will see that this Saturday."

Tickets for Matthysse vs. Kiram are currently on sale and are priced at $10, $25, $50 and $100, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or the Forum Box Office (Monday through Friday 11:00 a.m. PST to 7:00 p.m. PST) at (310) 330-7300. Tickets will also be available for purchase at www.fabulousforum.com or www.ticketmaster.com.