Lucas Matthysse May Show More Shades in Facing Viktor Postol

It had been hiding, Lucas Matthysse jokes, lying there dormant within -- his inner boxer.

Back in April, fight fans were treated to something a little different from the Argentinian slugger that they hadn’t witnessed before, when he faced off against Russian bull Ruslan Provodnikov.

They saw Matthysse counter and pivot, actually moving out of the way of a punch. They saw him slip and slide inside Provodnikov’s wide-sweeping smites, and coming up with nothing but air.

It’s because Matthysse was gone, nowhere to be hit.

“La Máquina” will try to use more boxing magic when he faces undefeated Viktor Postol (27-0, 11 KOs) this Saturday night on HBO (10:15 p.m. ET) for the vacant WBC world super lightweight title at the StubHub Center, in Carson, California.

Matthysse (37-3, 34 KOs) is looking to capitalize on his unanimous points victory he scored over Provodnikov in April by beating the 31-year-old Ukrainian Postol.

The 33-year-old veteran says he learned a great deal in his loss to Danny Garcia back in September 2013, when many in the boxing world thought he would crush the tough Philadelphian.

“I learned I had to be patient against Garcia,” Matthysse said through an interpreter. “The Garcia fight taught me I had to use my experience boxing, and I think the last couple of fights that I’ve had has shown I can box. It’s helped me use my power and strength.

“I always could box. I proved that against (Provodnikov). That was my plan going into that fight, to box more. I know I’m more than a brawler. I think what (shocked) people is showing that I showed I can box. I’ve had this ability for a long time. I’ve always known how to box. I’ve done it in the gym a million times. But when you’re in a fight, it’s usually different. It causes (the brawler) to come out.”

Against the 5-foot-11 Postol, Matthysse plans on using the same tactics that beat Provodnikov. That means being patient, moving his head and feet, and getting inside of the tallest fighter the 5-6½ Matthysse has ever faced.

“I have experience here,” Matthysse said. “Remember, I beat John Molina, who (5-10½) is about the same height at Postol. I’m going to use that experience against (Postol). I had to adjust against Molina, but once I did, I knew I could get inside and hurt him.”

If the fans get anything close to Molina-Matthysse, the 2014 Boxing Writers Association of America Fight of the Year, they’re in for a treat with Matthysse-Postol. Molina-Matthysse was a classic, which featured Matthysse surviving serious trouble, recovering from knockdowns in the second and fifth rounds, not to mention a severe cut over his right eye in the third from an accidental head butt.

Matthysse had the wherewithal to overcome it, floor Molina in the eighth and stopped him early in the 11th, when referee Pat Russell waved it over.

“The Iceman” comes with a 7-inch advantage and over Matthysse and he’s never been knocked down in his pro career. He’s only stopped, however, two of his last 10 opponents (Henry Auraad and Selcuk Aydin), and he’s never faced anyone of Matthysse’s caliber.

“I’ve had a good training camp and I feel in great shape,” Matthysse said. “My strategy is go deep into the fight, and I’m ready for anything Postol can bring to the table. I know that boxing will be important for me again. People should expect the same from me that they always see from me.

“I’ll get inside his jab and put pressure on him. Molina gave me great experience for fighting someone taller. My sparring is the major change for this fight, going against taller guys. I’ll feel really comfortable when I get in the ring with him.”

Joseph Santoliquito is the president of the Boxing Writer's Association of America and a frequent contributor to Sherdog.com's mixed martial arts and boxing coverage. His archive can be found here.