Seldom do you see a brawler who can box. Most brawlers tend to walk into range with no jab, no set-ups and with very little head movement. Even if blessed with a good chin, it’s only a matter of time before the limited brawler will be exposed.

The explosive Argentine named Lucas Matthysse has been tearing through the Jr. Welterweight (140lbs) division, with an all-action style and fearsome punching power in both hands.

But what’s even more captivating about him is his underrated ring smarts and the way he dismantles his opponents.

Here are 5 of the best Lucas Matthysse boxing techniques.

1) Power and Timing of Straight Right Upstairs

Matthysse’s overhand right is devastating, but his straight right is just as dangerous and has been utilized more often, especially against southpaws.

If his opponent stays within range like Humberto Soto did, then Matthysse will unleash his overhand, but if they decide to box and move, the straight right will come into play, and in a major way.

In recent years, Matthysse has scored knockdowns using the straight right against Zab Judah, Devon Alexander, Olusegun Ajose.

His timing for the straight right is also on point, as seen in his destructive short counter-right against Mike Dallas Jr., and the same-time straight over the jab of Lamont Peterson, which led to the first knockdown in that fight.

2) Short or Wide Left Hook

Whether it’s to the body or head, Matthysse throws the left hook with conviction, which sometimes leaves him off balance. Nonetheless, he’s able to throw it short or wide, and from different angles depending on the body positioning of his opponent.

Matthysse’s left hook to the body has dropped many of his opponents throughout his career (Demarcus Corley was dropped 9 times, most by body left hooks), and he often mixes it with the left hook upstairs, which is just as powerful as seen in his battle with Lamont Peterson.

3) Setting Up Shots With the Cross to the Body

You’ll often see Matthysse throw the straight right to the body to set up his punches upstairs, especially the left hook. He did it for the first knockdown against Peterson.

We’ve also seen the straight right to the body utilized effectively and independently against Soto, Dallas and Alexander (hurting him on several occasions around the solar plexus).

4) Cutting Off the Ring

If there’s one thing that a pressure fighter must do to be successful against a good mover, is knowing how to cut off the ring properly, instead of just following his opponent around. Matthysse’s ability to cut off the ring has allowed him to systematically break down his opponents quicker.

What’s even more impressive that largely goes unnoticed is that he doesn’t always maintain the pressure. Sometimes, he’ll bring his opponent back to the center of the ring, and gets them to engage with him, which he anticipates very well.

Matthysse’s ring generalship is usually overshadowed by his come-forward aggressive approach and destructive finishes.

5) Catching Punches With Gloves

I don’t recall the last time Matthysse actually got into a war that was not one-sided. The closest in recent memory was against Humberto Soto, but even then, it was a short fight and one-sided after only a couple of rounds.

When he’s within range and defending or looking to counter, he will keep an open-handed high guard (like Winky Wright), and parry punches away, catch head hooks on his gloves or body hooks on his elbows.

For someone with such an aggressive style, Matthysse doesn’t get hit cleanly that much.

The majority of times when he gets hit cleanly is when his mindset is solely on attacking, and it’s damn risky opening up when Matthysse is on the offense, because just one punch can change the game forever.

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