Lucas Matthysse facts for kids

Lucas Martín Matthysse (born September 27, 1982) is a former professional boxer from Argentina. He competed from 2004 to 2018. Lucas was known for his exciting, aggressive fighting style and very powerful punches. He held the WBA (Regular) welterweight title in 2018. He also held the WBC interim super lightweight title from 2012 to 2013. Lucas is the younger brother of boxer Walter Matthysse and former world champion Edith Soledad Matthysse.

Amateur Career

Before becoming a professional, Lucas Matthysse had a successful amateur boxing career. In 2003, he competed in the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo. During these games, he quickly defeated Colombia's Breidis Prescott in the first round.

Lucas also faced another famous boxer, Marcos Maidana, four times during his amateur days. Maidana won three of those fights, and one fight ended in a draw.

Professional Career

Starting as a Pro

Lucas Matthysse began his professional boxing journey in June 2004. He won his first fight against Leandro Almagro. This event was special because his brother, Walter, also fought on the same night.

Big Fights and Challenges

Matthysse vs. Judah

On November 6, 2010, Lucas faced former world champion Zab Judah. It was a very close fight that ended in a "split decision," meaning the judges disagreed on who won. Judah started strong, but Lucas became more aggressive in the middle rounds. In the tenth round, Lucas landed a powerful punch that knocked Judah down. Judah got back up, but he was hurt. In the end, two judges thought Judah won, and one judge thought Lucas won. So, Lucas lost the fight by a very small margin.

Matthysse vs. Alexander

On June 25, 2011, Lucas fought another former world champion, Devon Alexander. This was another extremely close fight that ended in a "split decision." Many people thought Lucas should have won, making it a very controversial result. Two judges scored the fight for Alexander, and one for Matthysse.

Winning Titles: Soto and Olusegun

Lucas had to pull out of a fight against Erik Morales due to illness. But he soon returned to the ring.

On February 10, 2012, Lucas fought Martín Ángel Martínez in Argentina. Lucas won this fight when Martínez stopped fighting after the fifth round. This win helped Lucas prepare for bigger challenges.

Next, on June 23, 2012, Lucas faced Humberto Soto. Both boxers exchanged strong punches early on. However, Lucas landed many powerful body shots and won the fight in the fifth round.

Then, on September 8, 2012, Lucas fought Ajose Olusegun, who was undefeated. This was a tough fight with both boxers landing good punches. But in the tenth round, Lucas's strong punches were too much for Olusegun, and the referee stopped the fight. Lucas won this fight and the vacant WBC interim light welterweight title.

Matthysse vs. Peterson

On May 18, 2013, Lucas Matthysse fought Lamont Peterson. This was a very impressive win for Lucas. He knocked Peterson down at the end of the second round. In the third round, Lucas continued to pressure Peterson, knocking him down two more times. The referee stopped the fight in the third round, giving Lucas a big win.

After this victory, some people in boxing even compared Lucas to the famous boxer Manny Pacquiao, saying he could become a huge star.

Matthysse vs. García

On September 14, 2013, Lucas faced Danny García. Many people thought Lucas would win this fight. However, García fought very well. In the middle rounds, Lucas got an injury to his right eye. García used this to his advantage. Lucas fought bravely, but García knocked him down in the eleventh round. This was the first time Lucas had ever been knocked down in his professional career. The fight went all 12 rounds, and García won by a "unanimous decision," meaning all judges agreed he won.

Matthysse vs. Postol

On October 3, 2015, Lucas fought Viktor Postol, who was undefeated. Postol used his longer reach to keep Lucas at a distance. In the tenth round, Postol landed a punch that knocked Lucas down. Lucas did not get up, saying he might have injured his eye. After this fight, Lucas took a year and a half off from boxing to recover from eye surgery.

Matthysse vs. Taylor

Lucas returned to the ring on May 6, 2017, to fight Emanuel Taylor. Lucas won this fight by a technical knockout in the fifth round.

Matthysse vs. Kiram

In his next fight, Lucas faced Tewa Kiram on January 27, 2018. Kiram was highly ranked in the welterweight division. Lucas managed to knock out his opponent in the eighth round, winning the vacant WBA (Regular) welterweight title.

Matthysse vs. Pacquiao

Lucas Matthysse lost his WBA (Regular) welterweight title to the legendary Manny Pacquiao on July 15, 2018. The fight took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Pacquiao won the fight by a technical knockout in the seventh round. This was the first time in nine years that Pacquiao had finished an opponent with a knockout. After this fight, Lucas Matthysse announced his retirement from boxing on August 2, 2018.

Professional boxing record

See also

In Spanish: Lucas Matthysse para niños