Matthysse’s proven to be the REAL #1 at 140

I know that officially he may not be recognised as that and for the time being I’m fine with Garcia being the put in that spot. But I strongly believe his position is on borrowed time until Matthysse finally gets to step in the ring with him.

The below is in no way a criticism of Garcia but rather an honest look at the type of opposition both men have demonstrated their qualities against. Garcia’s most notable wins that have made him the king of the division have been....

1) Holt
2) Morales
3) Khan
4) Judah

The one thing the above all share in common is that for one reason or the other (mentally or physically) they are all vulnerable to anyone with even the slightest bit of power or aggression. As a result this has made Garcia’s ability to punch and look like a killer, slightly exaggerated. It’s also one of the reasons why he’s never really been forced to use another style and why to the viewer he looks like he does the same thing and theres not much to his game. (Please note that this is not to suggest he cannot and does not adapt in fights. I believe he can do that. But he’s never really needed to to much extent because of the type of people he’s been beating).

On the other hand we have Matthysse....

1) Judah
2) Alexander
3) Soto
4) Olusegan
5) Peterson

Of course apart from Judah, those are fighters with proven toughness (mentally and physically) that Matthysse has walked right through. They may not have the high profile names that Garcia’s victims do, but I believe them to have been the more challenging foes on the night (well 2, 4 and 5 anyway). Alexander has a great chin and he put him on the canvas en route to a decision he should have won. Olusegan is and always has been greatly underappreciated and the type that no top junior welterweight wanted to deal with. Peterson despite having the tendency to be floored has NEVER been hurt the way he was and put away for good. And Soto despite his age and coming up in weight is also someone who has never been stopped (or even put on the canvas?). So those are genuinely tough guys that Matthysse has showcased his power against to prove that he IS the killer everyones projecting him as. And his evolution from Judah all the way up to Peterson has been quite impressive too. He’s shown the ability to box with the boxers and get the better of them (Judah and Alexander), as well as the hunter instinct to trap and brawl with both brawlers and boxers (Soto, Peterson and Olusegan).

Simply put... Matthysse over the past few years has been put on a slightly more challenging path of opponents and has still managed to be more destructive and impressive in his wins over them. For that reason I believe him to unofficially hold the number one spot of the division and I am happy for him to be getting the respect he deserves. Best of luck to him and I hope his success continues because hes the type of fighter this sport benefits from.

(Again the intention of this post is not to discredit Garcia’s achievements. He is a young fighter who has beaten everyone put before him and for that he also deserves props. I just feel at the moment Matthysse has proven to be the better fighter. Probably because he’s been around longer than Garcia has to be fair. We need to remember Garcia is still pretty young and it’s only in the last year or so he’s came to prominence and hasn’t yet had a chance to fight opponents that are better than the ones he’s dealt with so far).

Thanks.

 

Definitely! What's great is that they both will be fighting each other at the perfect time. Both at the pinnacle of their 140 careers and in their physical primes. They're doing what should have happened between Khan and Bradley a couple of years back.

 

It does doesn't it. Someone yesterday on here quoted Max Kellerman's words when Cotto and Margarito were due to face on another. He said he wouldn't want to be in Cotto's shoes on the night where Margarito feels he's finally arrived. This fight between Garcia and Matthysse evoke the same feelings in me.

 

It's very possible. Can I ask what makes you think that?

 

I reviewed the Judah fight last night. Judah did really well to hang in with him. The first 6 rounds were competitive (I think I had them even at that point) but then Matthysse pulled away when he increased his workrate. The last four or so rounds he won were big. Harsh decision.

 

Yes officially he may have lost them but the majority of observors feel Matthysse won. When watching them myself I don't see them as fights where Matthysse was bested. I had him winning in both and therefore I treat them as such (wins for Matthysse). And no I'm not talking about him as an ATG or as Garcia as a bum especially when I've made it a point to note that Garcia himself deserves props.

 

That's not true. Plenty of observors cared for Matthysse. The demolition job on Peterson just confirmed what his admirers had been saying all along.