Money Making Armando’s Prediction For: Danny Garcia vs. Lucas Matthysse

As the co-headliner to the Mayweather vs. Alvarez PPV this weekend on Showtime, undefeated Philly-born champion, Danny Garcia (26-0 w/16 KOs), enters the ring to take on his toughest challenge to date as he collides with Argentine KO artist, Lucas “The Machine” Matthysse (34-2 w/32 KOs). On paper, Matthysse’s impressive knockout ratio clearly jumps out of the page thus the reason why so many insiders are picking him to dethrone Garcia and do so by KO in the first half of the fight.  Now, while going against the general consensus is not always the route taken by bettors wagering on an event, since it is safer to side with the most popular opinion, this is one instance in which going against the grain regarding this junior welterweight title fight might be the better option.  Here is an educated look as well as the most recent odds for the Garcia vs. Matthysse 140-pound title fight this Saturday and why taking the action on Danny Garcia may be the most profitable.

Value For A Perfect Record

Danny “Swift” Garcia (+260) lands his first PPV card as the recognized king of the junior welterweight division owning the WBA Super welterweight title, WBC light welterweight title and The Ring light welterweight title.  His challenger, Lucas Matthysse (-330), owns the Interim WBC light welterweight title and has only been beaten twice, both by split decision. Betting on an unbeaten fighter is always reassuring since logically that fighter knows what to do to win, how to be victorious and takes pride in maintaining his record unblemished. Also, whom the fighter has taken the titles from or successfully defended against is always a good way to reaffirm that he will continue his march of triumph.

Experience in Championship Fights

Garcia picked up the WBC light welterweight title last March from living legend, Erik Morales via unanimous decision in a performance that started the Philadelphian’s path to superstardom. That night he easily outpointed the most tactical and seasoned opponent that he had ever faced.  A few months later Garcia met 7 -1 favorite, Amir Khan in a bout where experts felt Danny would be outclassed, outmatched and in over his head.  Garcia destroyed Khan by way of 4^th round KO earning the WBA Super and The Ring light welterweight titles.  A rematch between Garcia and Morales followed in the fall and this time the Philadelphia powerhouse had no mercy on his childhood idol, Garcia sent Morales into retirement after brutally knocking him out in the 4^th round.  In contrast, as far as experience goes for Matthysse, the 2 best fighters that he faced both beat him by decision: Devon Alexander and Zab Judah.

In Ring Ability

Earlier this year Garcia defended his titles against former pound for pound kingpin, Zab Judah, in Judah’s home town of Brooklyn, New York. Countless critics felt that the New Yorker’s hand speed, power and athleticism would overwhelm Garcia, only adding to the aura that it was bad business for the undefeated champion to take a bout in enemy territory. Danny had no problem adjusting to his foe’s offense by finding his own rhythm and timing. Garcia’s powerful counter punches and combinations stunned Judah on various occasions throughout the bout eventually sending the durable veteran to the canvases in the 8^th round. That night Garcia won a clear cut unanimous decision victory setting up the much anticipated match against hard-hitting, Lucas Matthysse.

In conclusion, all of Danny Garcia’s boxing attributes have helped him to remain an undefeated, elite boxer on the professional level. Be it his ring awareness, resiliency to overcome, counter punching prowess, heavy handedness and having heart of a champion, one if not all of these traits have manifested during his outings as a top junior welterweight and will surely be tested come the night of September 14^th.  It’s undeniable that Lucas Matthysse’s KO ratio is unprecedented and only his granite chin has matched his will to win inside of the squared circle. However, what happens when the Argentine bomber’s firepower misses its mark or meets an equally devastating puncher? When a fighter like Lucas is so good at one thing he tends to neglect bringing a Plan B into the ring.

Prediction: I believe that Danny Garcia will weather the early storm from Lucas Matthysse in a back and forth thriller where there may even be a couple of knockdowns. However , once the dust settles in a great title fight that will be as brutal as it is beautiful and painful as it will be poetic, Garcia remains undefeated by way of unanimous decision.