There’s not many people giving Mike Dallas Jr. a serious chance to upset the red-hot Lucas Matthysse when they meet on January 26 for a Showtime-headlining card on The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. But Dallas believes he has the right trainer in Virgil Hunter to nullify Matthysse’s pressure and punching power.
Since losing a disputed decision to Devon Alexander in June 2011, Matthysse has reeled off four straight stoppages. The last two were Showtime-televised victories over Humberto Soto and Ajose Olusegun, the latter widely viewed as one of the best fights of 2012.
Although Dallas is having to take the fight on short notice due to Hank Lundy’s withdrawal, he’s not intimidated by Matthysse’s recent success.
Virgil is the master when it comes to game planning for a big fight. We’ve studied his past fights and he’s definitely got some flaws in his style. There are certain things a fighter must do when facing a pressure fighter and we’ve worked on everything to counter his attack.
Right now Virgil has some of the best fighters in the world working out at his gym, and they’re all giving me good work. I’m in the best shape of my life and that’s why I took this fight on short notice. Matthysse has been beat before and I’m confident I can beat him as well.
The January 26 bout will be for Mathysse’s interim WBC junior welterweight title.
Dallas’s last victory was a June 22 seventh round KO of Javier Castro on Friday Night Fights.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 