At the StubHub Center, Carson, California, Viktor Postol pulled off the upset, knocking out Lucas Matthysse in the 10th round to pick up the vacant WBC Junior Welterweight title. Matthysse went down off a counter right-hand and failed to beat the referee’s count as his glove nursed his right eye.
For the first 5 rounds, this contest didn’t really catch fire. Sure, Matthysse landed the odd heavy blow during some hard to score rounds, but the action was pretty uneventful. Without rhythm. Not to mention filled with tying up, which seemed to be owed to the pipe-like arms of Postol, in particular.
Matthysse then enjoyed his best round of the fight, nailing Postol with his trademark solid rights and hooks. But things were about to get a whole lot worse for the Argentine.
From the 7th round on, Postol’s confidence began to shine through in abundance, however. The underdog nullified Matthysse’s attacks completely by circling the ring and leaving nothing but air between them. This allowed Postol to start firing combinations at range, leaving Matthysse pretty helpless and unable to answer.
Postol quickly lost all respect for Matthysse’s power. Postol already possessed a huge height and reach advantage, and now he was bullying and out-landing his foe tenfold. Matthysse, one of the sport’s toughest competitors, seemed to be losing steam and spirit. Argentine fans chanting “Lucas, Lucas!” could be heard breaking.
And then came the knockdown in the 10th, courtesy of a Postol right-hand which tagged the right eye of a charging Matthysse. Why Matthysse decided to then stay down on one knee will now be the subject of debate until the press conference unfolds.
Did Matthysse sustain a severe orbital injury of some kind? Had Postol broken his heart? Or was he simply too concussed to continue? One thing we do know is that Postol just dealt our No.1 Junior Welterweight a most unexpected defeat.
Viktor Postol means business, is still undefeated, and looks like he could be quite a handful in the division. A big win like this will of course give him the key to fight some big names both at 140 or 147 – if any fighters out there fancy the task of outmanoeuvring a 5′ 11″ boxer-puncher, that is.
Postol now extends to 23-0, 12 knockouts, while Matthysse falls to 37-4, 34 knockouts.
Matthysse vs Postol Undercard
In the highly competitive ‘prospect vs veteran’ Junior Welterweight chief support, Antonio Orozco left with a Unanimous Decision. Why the official scorecards were so wide at 97-92 (thrice) I do not know. Personally I had this encounter 95-94 for Soto, with the Orozco 9th round point deduction (for a low blow) preventing this from ending in a Draw.
Soto proved to be a worthy foe of the much younger prospect Orozco from the first bell, taking the first few rounds thanks to eye-catching one-twos and jabs. But Orozco began to turn up the heat soon after, finding a more success from the 4th onwards. Body shots, a sneaky jab and good lateral movement were put to good use.
There were a few hard rounds to score along the way, it has to be said. But those scores…
Antonio Orozco now bulks his record to 22-0, 15 knockouts, while Humberto Soto drops to 65-8-2, 35 knockouts.
Finally, 22-year-old prospect Julian Ramirez put in a solid performance, shutting out Hugo Partida over the 10 round distance. Forgive me for missing the official scorecards, but let me assure you they couldn’t have differed too far from my own which read 100-90. Maybe Partida scored a round tops.
Ramirez looked impressive, showcased great fundamentals and punch variety, but is far from the finished product – which is fine given this is only his 15th pro fight.
Partida played his part in the Junior Featherweight 10-rounder, landing thudding body shots when Ramirez opened up and forced exchanges. But the durable underdog failed to land enough registering shots upstairs thanks to Ramirez’s elusiveness. Partida was also up against it due to the fact he gave away six inches in reach.
He now drops to 21-5-2, 16 knockouts, while Ramirez climbs to 14-0, 8 knockouts.
Matthysse vs Postol Round by Round
Round 1: Postol strikingly taller, rangier. Matthysse will have to work to find his man here. Both men getting tied up a lot. Awkward, scrappy opener. I refuse to score this anything but even. It’s discouraged in boxing – but screw it. 10-10 (Even)
Round 2: Matthysse to the body. Matthysse chasing, cutting off the ring. Postol keeping his distance. Postol jabs to the body. They get tied up again. Matthysse finding it hard to nail his foe. Postol, 10-9 (20-19)
Round 3: Postol jab, Matthysse clearly frustrated. This is not a good stylistic match-up yet. Matthysse left-hook. To the body with the jab. Postol always keen to tie up when Matthysse works his way in. The crowd not liking what they see. Perhaps they have a point. Matthysse, 10-9 (29-29)
Round 4: Postol one-two. Matthysse looking uncomfortable. Cannot open up like he’s used to. Postol tying up Matthysse again. And again. Right-hand from Postol. Left-hook from Matthysse to close round. Matthysse, 10-9 (39-38)
Round 5: OK, actual punches landing now. Postol picking off Matthysse in brief exchange. Matthysse tags Postol with big right. Postol letting his hands go again. Man, Postol is clinching far too much. Finally the referee gets on his case about it. Postol, 10-9 (48-48)
Round 6: Matthysse with the right-hook. Doubles it up to the body. Postol throwing the uppercut into his arsenal now. Big right from Matthysse. Left-hook from Matthysse. Right from Matthysse, registers hard! Matthysse goes on the hunt. Postol slips, falls down. Matthysse, 10-9 (58-57)
Round 7: Matthysse rocks Postol with a big right-hand. Postol weathers storm. And goes back to clinching… Right-hand over the top from Matthysse. Left-hook. Postol gets off a sharp combination in final seconds. Matthysse, 10-9 (68-66)
Round 8: Postol jab. Postol unloading some nice combinations at range. Matthysse has landed nothing so far. Postol gaining a lot of confidence. Matthysse having no success. Big Postol round, 10-9 (77-76)
Round 9: Postol getting his shots off, combinations. Matthysse needs to answer, losing respect. Postol taking the fight to Matthysse, buzzes him with a couple of right-hands. Matthysse clips Postol with right-hook to temple. Postol, 10-9 (86-86)
Round 10: Postol still bossing the action, finding holes to penetrate. Postol jab. Dancing around the ring, circling his man. Matthysse left-hook. Matthysse knocked down off a right-hand! Matthysse doesn’t get up – this fight’s over!
Result: Postol wins via 10th round KO, captures vacant WBC Junior Welterweight title
Boxing Base Scorecard: 86-86 (going into 10th)
Give us your take on Matthysse vs Postol in the comments, and the rest of the California card.
Mark Phillips is the Head Staff Writer/Assistant Editor at BoxingBase.com, and provides worldwide news, coverage and analysis – he can be reached via our Contact Page.
