By Jeff Sorby: The fight between IBF welterweight champion Devon Alexander (24-1, 13 KO’s) and challenger Kell Brook (29-0, 19 KO’s) has been moved from January 19th to March 2nd due to Brook injuring one of his ankles and needing more time for it to heal. The January 19th fight card will still go ahead, but it will be now headlined by WBC interim light welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse (32-2, 30 KO’s) defending his title against lightweight Hank Lundy (22-2-1, 11 KO’s) at the Nokia Theater, in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Lucas Matthysse
Matthysse vs. Lundy in the works for January 19th in Los Angeles, CA
By Steve Mabbott: A fight between WBC interim light welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse (32-2, 30 KO’s) and the struggling lightweight contender Hank Lundy (22-2-1, 11 KO’s) is being negotiated for January 19th, according to RingTV. The Matthysse-Lundy fight will be on the Devon Alexander vs. Kell Brook card at the Nokia Theater, in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Khan possibly interested in Matthysse fight
By Michael Collins: Amir Khan mentioned interim WBC light welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse (32-2, 30 KO’s) as someone that he might be interested in fighting on December 15th when Khan fights next. Matthysse is among several names that Khan is looking into fight on that date.
Khan said to thatboxingvoice.com “Matthysse had a great win [over Olusegun Ajose]. Maybe he can be one.”
That’s a highly ambitious choice of Khan if he does go with Matthysse, because Khan was knocked out in the 4th round by WBC light welterweight champion Danny Garcia in his last fight in July and has now lost his last two fights.
Normally when a fighter has lost two fights in a row they look to face an easy mark so that they can get there confidence back and recover from the punishment they took in losing. However, if Khan does with a fight against Matthysse, he would be taking a huge risk for his career.
Matthysse-Olusegun: Brave Ajose stopped after 10 classic rounds
With his clear talents aired like on Showtime as main event, other sanctioning bodies will be adding Ajose to their lists. As for Lucas Matthysse he will get his long awaited world title shot against the winner of Danny Garcia vs Erik Morales (Garcia).
It was a brutal performance from Matthysse after a slightly tentative first round. Olusegun seemed to take the 1st, putting together good combinations. Ajose kept firing these eye catching combinations but Matthysse’s dynamite fists were always in reach to change the course of each round by sending his unbeaten opponent to the ropes before rallying. Ajose though was as tough as nails, going through several scary moments in the first half of the fight. Several times referee Russel Mora was close to stepping in on several occasions. Had it been any other fighter Mora may have stepped in, but knowing how long Ajose had waited for this chance, Mora gave him as much chance as possible. Ajose did dish out his own fair share of punishment, and after the fight Matthysse told Showtime analyst Jim Gray, “I felt his power tonight”.
Matthysse blasts out Ajose
(Photo: Tom Casino/Showtime) LAS VEGAS (Sept. 8, 2012) – Lucas Matthysse powered his way through previously undefeated Olusegun Ajose to claim the WBC Interim Super Lightweight World Championship Saturday night on SHOWTIME® from The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Matthysse’s power proved to be too much for the game Ajose and after a fantastic display of courage from both fighters, Matthysse scored a fight ending knockdown at 2:59 of the 10th round.
In the co-feature on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, up-and-coming prospect J’Leon Love stepped into the spotlight and claimed the win over fellow prospect Ramon Valenzuela by disqualification due to unsportsmanlike conduct at 0:37 of the eighth round.
In the main event, Matthysse proved to be stronger and faster from the opening bell. Matthysse, who has had great success against left handers, stayed busier throughout and landed punishing combinations against his southpaw opponent. But Ajose showed his mettle and proved his toughness and resilience by staying on his feet through the biggest punches Matthysse could dole out.
As the rounds went on, Ajose tried to keep his opponent at a distance, but Matthysse continuously broke through, often attacking the body before going for the head. While neither fighter had ever been knocked down, Matthysse’s strength sent Ajose to the canvas in the tenth forcing referee Russell Mora to step in and halt the action. It was the first loss of Ajose’s professional career.