HBO WCB 1/27: Lucas Matthysse-Tewa Kiram / Jorge Linares-Mercito Gesta

[patscorpio]

Two of the world’s most exciting fighters, Lucas “La Maquina” Matthysse (38-4, 35 KOs) and Jorge “El Nino De Oro” Linares (43-3, 27 KOs), will kick off the 2018 boxing year with a bang as they compete in separate world championship bouts on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018 at the “Fabulous” Forum in Inglewood, California. This special double main event will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 10:20 p.m. ET/PT.

The first co-main event will see the 35-year-old Matthysse, an absolutely thunderous puncher out of Chubut, Argentina, facing undefeated Thai superstar Tewa Kiram (38-0. 28 KOs) in a 12-round battle for the WBA Welterweight World Championship.

“I am honored to be able to fight for a world championship in just my second fight at welterweight,” said Matthysse, a former interim world champion at 140 pounds who has defeated the likes of former two-division champion Lamont “Havoc” Peterson, former WBO Junior Welterweight Champion Ruslan “The Siberian Rocky” Provodnikov and former three-division titlist Humberto “La Zorrita” Soto. “I understand I am facing a younger, undefeated opponent, but I am confident that ‘The Machine’ will emerge victorious.”

Since turning pro at the age of 15, Kiram has torn through an astounding 38 opponents, with 28 of them never hearing the final bell. He won the interim PABA Welterweight Championship in just his sixth fight and defended it – and the full PABA Welterweight title – more than 30 times over seven years. This will mark his first fight outside of Thailand.

“I understand not many people know me in the U.S., but they are in for a big surprise on Jan. 27,” Kiram said. “I have never been defeated, and I am fully confident that I will return to Thailand with the WBA Welterweight World Championship around my waist.”



In the second co-main event, Linares, a 32-year-old Venezuelan considered one of the top fighters in the world, will make his second trip to the ‘Fabulous’ Forum in a row to defend his multiple lightweight world championships against the once-defeated Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta (31-1-2, 17 KOs).

“I have travelled all over the world to win and defend my titles, and I am looking forward to having my hand raised in victory once again in America,” said Linares, the three-division world champion who holds victories over world champions and contenders such as Anthony “Million Dollar” Crolla, Kevin “Mighty” Mitchell and Gamaliel “El Platano” Diaz. “I know that Gesta has speed and power, but he hasn’t been at this level before, and on Jan. 27, he’ll know what it’s like to face a world champion.”

Gesta, a 30-year-old from the Philippines, has not tasted defeat in six fights, beating quality opponents including Gilberto “El Flaco” Gonzalez and former contender Martin “El Brochas” Honorio. Gesta is getting his second shot at a world championship more than five years after dropping a unanimous decision to Miguel “Titere” Vazquez for the IBF World Lightweight Championship.

“I know firsthand how long it takes to get a shot at a world championship, and I will not allow this opportunity to pass me by,” Gesta said. “I understand Linares is a great fighter, but I know I have the skills, speed, power, and great coaching which will get my hand raised in victory.”

“What a way to kick of 2018 – with two of the top fighters in the sport taking on younger, hungry challengers,” said Oscar De La Hoya, CEO and Chairman of Golden Boy Promotions. “It’s not often you get two main events on one card, but that is what we will have on Jan. 27 at the “Fabulous” Forum. This card will help keep the momentum that boxing established in 2017.”

“This is a very important fight for Argentine boxing, for Lucas Matthysse and for Arano Box,” said Mario Arano of Arano Boxing. “Matthysse is ready to be a world champion, and we are more than sure that his win will make huge waves throughout the entirety of the Republic of Argentina and South America.”

“Thailand has never had a Welterweight World champion before,” said Taweesin Terry Laosuwanwat, Manager and Promoter of Kiram. “We are making history here, and Tewa [Kiram] will do anything to win this fight. Tewa has never lost before, and he will keep his undefeated record against Matthysse.”

 

[Amare's Right Hook]

Kamegai was added as well

 

[Amare's Right Hook]

double trouble

 

[patscorpio]

Kamegai was added as well

Yeah but his fight isn't being televised

 

[patscorpio]

 

[patscorpio]

Photos: Lucas Matthysse, Tewa Kiram - Go Face To Face

Fighters on the special double main event of Matthysse vs. Kiram and Linares vs. Gesta held a final press conference today ahead of the explosive Golden Boy Promotions card that will take place this Jan. 27 at the "Fabulous" Forum in Inglewood, Calif. In the first part of this spectacular main event, former interim WBC Super Lightweight Champion Lucas "La Maquina" Matthysse (38-4, 35 KOs) of Chubut, Argentina will take on undefeated Thai superstar Tewa Kiram (38-0, 28 KOs) in a 12-round battle for the vacant WBA Welterweight World Championship. In the second main event, Jorge "El Nino De Oro" Linares (43-3, 27 KOs) will face Mercito "No Mercy" Gesta (31-1-2, 17 KOs) in a 12-round defense of his WBA and Ring Magazine Lightweight Titles. The event will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.

Here's what today's participants said at today's press conference:

LUCAS "LA MAQUINA" MATTHYSSE, FORMER INTERIM WBC SUPERLIGHTWEIGHT:
"I'm excited this opportunity to fight for a world title. We prepared for this fight really well. We prepared in Argentina, and then finished in Indio. This Saturday, we will walk away with a world title. We know that he manages his distance well and that he has a good jab, but we prepared for that. We learned a few things, but I assure the fans that they will once again see the "Machine" this Saturday."

TEWA KIRAM, PABA WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION:
"I'm very thankful that I'm fighting for a world title this Saturday against Lucas Matthysse. I'm looking forward to winning a world and taking the belt back to Thailand. Don't miss out on this great show."

JOEL DIAZ, TRAINER TO LUCAS MATTHYSSE:
"Lucas Matthysse is the type of fighter I like to train. He's aggressive. He has heavy hands. I'm committed to taking advantage of this opportunity--the opportunity that he has to win a world title. This Saturday you will see a new Lucas Matthysse."

MARIO ARANO, MANAGER TO LUCAS MATTHYSSE:
"The time has come for Lucas Matthysse. He is the face of Golden Boy Promotions and Arano Box. I'm confident that Argentina will come to a standstill this Saturday night. The world will celebrate and applaud Matthysse's victory."

TERRY LAOSUWANWAT, PROMOTER OF TEWA KIRAM:
"Tewa [Kiram] is number one. He didn't get there by luck. He worked hard for this opportunity. Tewa is taller and stronger. We are definitely not the underdog, and you will see that this Saturday."

Tickets for Matthysse vs. Kiram are currently on sale and are priced at $10, $25, $50 and $100, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or the Forum Box Office (Monday through Friday 11:00 a.m. PST to 7:00 p.m. PST) at (310) 330-7300. Tickets will also be available for purchase at www.fabulousforum.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

 

[GzUp]

Delete

 

[patscorpio]

Matthysse-Kiram, Linares-Gesta - Weights For HBO Doubleheader

By Keith Idec

Tewa Kiram seemed more than big enough Friday afternoon to win his welterweight title fight against Lucas Matthysse.

We’ll have to wait one more day, though, to find out if the untested Thai contender is good enough to beat the best fighter he will have encountered during his 10-year pro career. Kiram was, however, noticeably taller than Argentina’s Matthysse as they stood face-to-face following the official weigh-in for their scheduled 12-round fight for the WBA world welterweight title in Inglewood, California.

The 35-year-old Matthysse (38-4, 35 KOs, 1 NC) met the welterweight limit of 147 pounds exactly when he got on the California State Athletic Commission’s scale. The 25-year-old Kiram (38-0, 28 KOs) officially weighed 146¼ pounds.

HBO will televise the Matthysse-Kiram match Saturday night from The Forum as the main event of its “Boxing After Dark” doubleheader. They’ll fight for a version of the WBA’s 147-pound championship, but Keith Thurman (28-0, 22 KOs, 1 NC) is recognized as the true WBA welterweight champion.

Kiram will fight outside of Thailand for the first time since making his pro debut in January 2008.

Before Matthysse and Kiram made weight, Jorge Linares, 32, and Mercito Gesta, 30, met their contractual obligations by weighing in at 135 pounds or less for their fight for Linares’ WBA lightweight title.

The Venezuelan-born, London-based Linares (43-3, 27 KOs) stepped on the California State Athletic Commission scale right at the lightweight limit of 135 pounds. Gesta (31-1-2, 17 KOs), of San Clemente, California, officially weighed in at 134½ pounds.

The scheduled 12-round bout between the heavily favored Linares and Gesta will open HBO’s “Boxing After Dark” doubleheader at 10:30 p.m. ET.

 

[David_TheMan]

Lucas with joel Diaz is a scary sight.
Lucas need to try to run it back against Swift.

 

[mr. smoke weed]

IDK why Lucas took so much time off after that Taylor fight. These should be interesting tonight.

 

[Columbo]

I like Lucas alot but im not site what hes got left in the tank. I just rid of HBO, anyone know anything about that hbo go?

Edit

I see they have a free one month trial, after that its $15 a month

Maybe ill just look for a link and wait for a bigger fight to use that free month on

 

[David_TheMan]

Linares gonna put me to sleep again, I feel it.

 

[theflyest]

I know nothing of Kiram, but it just seems like it has the ingredients to be a dangerous fight.

 

[patscorpio]

well that was a good round for gesta

 

[mson]

These guys are game.