Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, The Joint, Las Vegas, USA
#387:
- Jermell Charlo (19-0, 9 KOs) vs Harry Joe Yorgey (25-1-1, 12 KOs) TKO 8R - Light Middleweight (non title)
- Jesus Soto Karass (26-8-3, 17 KOs) vs Selcuk Aydin (23-1, 17 KOs) UD 10R - Welterweight (non tittle)
- Lucas Martin Matthysse (32-2-0, 30 KOs) vs Mike Dallas Jr. (19-2-1, 8 KOs) TKO 1R - WBC Light Welterweight Title
Lucas Matthysse moves to 33-2
LAS VEGAS -- Interim junior welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse delivered a stunning first-round knockout of Mike Dallas Jr. on Saturday that should persuade boxing fans to get behind his request for a date against unified titlist Danny Garcia.
How eager Garcia will be to accept that challenge remains to be seen.
Matthysse added to his reputation of being an action-packed fighter, flooring Dallas with a powerful right hand in the final minute of the opening frame. Referee Robert Byrd quickly waved off the action as Dallas lay unconscious on the canvas.
The Argentinian, who won all three of his fights in 2012, has called for a big-name opponent in his next performance. He's specifically set his sights on Garcia, who fights Zab Judah on Feb. 9 in Brooklyn.
"I definitely had a future to lose," Matthysse said through an interpreter. "I definitely want Danny Garcia. I hope he gives me the opportunity, but (I'll fight) any top fighter at 140."
In addition to Garcia (25-0, 16 KOs), another option for Matthysse is fellow Argentinian Marcos Maidana (33-3, 30 KOs). All three fighters are promoted by Golden Boy.
Dallas (19-3-1, 8 KOs) was considered a longshot to score the upset. He attempted to use his speed and footwork early, but he failed to generate any offense behind his jab and couldn't avoid a few hard rights to the body by Matthysse (33-2, 31 KOs).
Virgil Hunter, Dallas' trainer, was likely more successful irritating Matthysse than his fighter was. Prior to the fight, Hunter accused Matthysse of foul play when he witnessed him taking amino acid vitamins in his locker room.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission investigated the matter and found no issue with the substance Matthysse ingested.
"They came to my dressing room. Why?" Matthysse said after the fight. "I was very upset by that. I'm a clean fighter."
Matthysse, 30, was emotional following the win. It was the 10th time he's finished an opponent in the first round and first since August 2010.
SOURCE
