By James Slater: They are two of the most dangerous, arguably avoided light-welterweights in the world, and they are two of the most aggressively exciting fighters in that weight class – on September 8th they will meet in a fight that will more than likely be brutal, savage and wickedly entertaining.
Fightnews.com reports how Argentine slugger Lucas Mattyhysse will face unbeaten Nigerian beast Ajose Olusegun at a venue to be named on the same night as the Randall Bailey-Devon Alexander showdown. No disrespect to “The Knock Out King” and “The Great,” but I know which fight I will be tuning in to see!
32-year-old Olusegun, 30-0(14) may not hit as hard as Matthysse, but the southpaw is an immensely strong man who is always in superb condition. “Segun Ajofe” is also huge for the weight at 5’9” and with a reach of 71” (compared to 5’6” and 69” for the Argentine who is coming off that impressive dismantling of a brave but outgunned Humberto Soto). Olusegun is also hungry, very hungry.
For so long the warrior, who has already captured the Commonwealth title, has been aching for his shot. Calling Danny Garcia all manner of names, Olusegun will now get his chance and if he can beat Matthysse in September he will then be in line to fight the winner of Garcia-Erik Morales II (set for Oct. 20th in New York) for the full WBC crown. But will either “Swift” or “El Terrible” want to face such a monster?
But it would of course be foolish to in any way write off 29-year-old Matthysse, 31-2(29). The harder puncher, with more experience against the elite opponents – Mattyhsse has lost two controversial split decisions many people think he won (to Zab Judah and Devon Alexander) and he holds stoppage wins over Vivian Harris, DeMarcus Corley and Soto – the Argentine will have plenty of fans thinking he will win on Sept. 8th.
All I know is both guys are great to watch, both are deserving of the really big fights and the big money that goes along with them, and both guys would give ANY 140-pounder in the world a real nightmare of a fight. Heaven knows what they will put each other through in just over a month’s time.
Who wins on September 8th? This one is as tough to pick as the action will be fierce from bell-one, but I have a feeling Olusegun – if the ring-rust of his not having fought since September of last year doesn’t overly affect him – will prevail and pull out a close decision in a probably FOTY candidate.