Lucas Matthysse vs Mike Dallas Jr. Preview Jan. 26
Argentine slugger Lucas Matthysse will meet Mike Dallas Jr. in a junior welterweight bout on Sat. Jan. 26 at Las Vegas’ Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Matthysse, the interim WBC World Champion, carries a 32-2 record into the ring with him with a remarkable 30 Kos while Dallas has a mark of 19-2-1, with just 8 Kos. If you’re looking simply at the power these two men possess, then Matthysse wins it hands down, but fortunately there’s a lot more to the sweet science than just swinging for the fences and this is why Dallas has a legitimate shot here.
The 26-year-old Dallas has never met anybody of Matthysse’s caliber since turning pro in 2008 and this is definitely a step up in class for him. When Dallas has stepped up to face tougher opponents in the past he’s had a hard time of it. Josesito Lopez knocked him out in the seventh round in January of 2011 and in his very next fight five months later he lost a 10-round majority decision to Mauricio Herrera. He’s bounced back in his last two bouts to beat Miguel Gonzalez by a 10-round unanimous decision last February and he stopped Javier Castro in six last June.
Dallas Jr. is dedicating the bout to his late father who passed away from leukemia in November, so it will be an emotional night for him and he should be suitably motivated. The 30-year-old Matthysse is one of the most durable and powerful boxers around though, so it’s going to take an exceptional effort by Dallas and his trainer Virgil Hunter to upset him.
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Matthysse was named the interim champion after stopping the previously unbeaten Ajose Olusegun in September and is hoping to become the WBC’s full champion as soon as possible. Before he gets too far ahead of himself though, he’ll have to take care of Dallas in impressive fashion. Matthysse has lost just two bouts during his career, which began in 2004, and they were both to former world champions and quite controversial. He dropped split decisions to both Zab Judah and Devon Alexander in buts that most ringsiders thought he won. He also dropped both of those opponents during the contests.
Dallas, who hails from Bakersfield, California, will be depending on his boxing skills and speed to handle the champion, but he better have a pretty solid chin if he hopes to take him out or last the 12-round distance. Dallas said he’s going to fight his usual style and plans on taking advantage of any mistakes or openings that Matthysse presents him with. He said he’ll make the necessary adjustments in the ring as the bout goes along and will have to box intelligently and listen to Hunter’s advice.
Prediction
It looks like Dallas could possibly be in slightly over his head in this bout. No matter how well he boxes and how many rounds he might rack up on points, he’s going to get hit and he’s going to get hit hard. His success in this bout will likely be in direct relation with his chin. It’s more than likely that he’s going to be stopped before this bout makes it to the end of the 12th round.
Odds
Sportsbook 5dimes.eu has the latest odds of a Matthysse win at -2500 and a Dallas Jr. victory at -750. Visit 5Dimes.eu to see up to date odds and to bet on this fight. You should also check out our recent boxing betting predictions to see how we’ve done of late capping the fights.
Lucas Matthysse betting • Mike Dallas Jr. betting