Despite questionable losses in two of his past three fights, Lucas Matthysse has enough clout for an appearance on the year?s next high-profile card.
Not only will Matthysse appear on the undercard of the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Victor Ortiz headlined show Sept. 17 in Las Vegas, but the native of Argentina will be fighting for the vacant World Boxing Council super lightweight world title against three-division world champion Erik Morales.
Matthysse?s status as a top-tier 140-pound contender has not diminished even after disputed losses by decision against Zab Judah last December and Devon Alexander on June 25.
?Everybody knows that those two losses were bad decisions against me,? Matthysse said in a conference call last week. ?I was robbed in both of those fights. We?re very happy right now to be fighting Erik Morales.?
Matthysse (28-2, 26 KOs) believes the judges will fairly recognize his performance against Morales if the fight lasts the distance. Matthysse?s loss against New York native Judah was in nearby Newark, N.J. Alexander, of St. Louis, also had hometown support when he fought Matthysse in St. Charles, Mo.
?People know I won those fights,? Matthysse said. ?When I was offered this opportunity, I was very happy to come back to the U.S. So, right away, [judging] was not something even to think about. I?m trusting the judges, I know that [Las Vegas] is different. I leave it at the hands of the judges.?
Morales (51-7, 35 KOs) also dealt with a scorecards loss in his previous bout April 9 against Marcos Maidana. Not given much of a chance to win, especially after a three-year void of notable fights, the 34-year-old Morales gamely stood with the younger Maidana but lost a majority decision.
