WALTER DARIO MATTHYSSE

updated July 15, 2007

An explosive fighter with fight ending power in both hands, Argentina's Walter Dario Matthysse is one of the most exciting welterweights to come along in recent years, something United States fans got to see for the first time on December 8, 2005 when the 28-year-old from Santa Fe made his stateside debut with a brutal first round knockout of Xavier Tolliver on HBO Latino's 'Oscar De La Hoya Presents Boxeo De Oro'.

Said respected boxing scribe Doug Fischer of Matthysse, "Unlike his fellow power punchers, who take their time in the ring, Matthysse IS in a rush to take his man out. He doesn't care to set up his power shots, he doesn't bother to get out of the way of the opponents' punches, he just lets his left hook and right cross go like lightning bolts. He's fast, powerful and direct and he loves it when he excites the crowd."

Sounds like a recipe for success for 'El Terrible', who didn't make his professional debut until the age of 24. On that first night, October 4, 2002, Matthysse stunned onlookers with his power, taking out Juan Roberto Vilchez in three rounds.

Thinking it was a fluke, Matthysse and Vilchez fought again a month later. It was no fluke as Matthysse took his foe out in the second round this time.

With an early reputation already secure, Matthysse started piling up the victories, winning once more in 2002 and nine times in 2003.

Matthysse kicked off his 2004 campaign with a first round TKO of Marcos Carlos Alegre in Trelew, Chubut, Argentina, and in March of that year he earned his first title as a professional, tearing through Javier Alejandro Blanco in two rounds to win the vacant WBO Latino welterweight title.

After another second round TKO over Jorge Perez less than a month after his title-winning effort (11 of his 22 knockouts have come in the second round), Matthysse defended his crown for the first time with -- you guessed it -- a two round stoppage of Ruben Oliva.

Two non-title wins followed before a punishing 8th round TKO win over Carlos Jerez produced Matthysse's third title defense.

In 2005, Matthysse has been just as unforgiving, stopping well-regarded Raul Martinez in a single round to win the vacant WBC Mundo Hispano title in March, and knocking out Juan Villagra and Juan Meza in May and September, respectively.

In his last appearance before the Tolliver fight, Matthysse and unbeaten Roberto Reuque engaged in a two round no contest after the referee halted the bout due to both fighters continuing to battle after the bell for round two had sounded, and after dispatching of Tolliver, Matthysse stayed busy, stopping Juan Carlos Alderete in a single round.

'El Terrible' challenged for the vacant NABO welterweight title on May 27, 2006, against fellow power puncher Paul Williams, but after an exciting back and forth battle, Matthysse suffered his first pro defeat via a tenth round TKO.

Five months later, Matthysse was back in action though, stopping Jorge Perez in just two rounds to earn himself a shot at IBF welterweight champion Kermit Cintron on July 14 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. This time, he plans on bringing the title back home to Argentina.