Thomas Mattice has the mentality of nothing to lose and everything to gain. He also believes he is one of the best fighters at 130 pounds.
Mattice will face unbeaten Ramiro Cesena Saturday night at the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas. The 10-round bout will precede the main event bout between Jesse Rodriguez and Cristian Rodriguez for the vacant WBO world flyweight title (DAZN, 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT).
At Friday’s weigh-in, Mattice weighed 129 pounds. Cesena came in at the junior lightweight limit of 130 pounds.
The 32-year-old Mattice (20-3-1, 15 knockouts), who resides in Cleveland, Ohio, last fought on November 12, dropping Christian Tapia of Puerto Rico once en route to winning by unanimous decision. Mattice has won his last three fights since losing a close and disputed decision to Luis Melendez in November 2021.
Over the last several months, Mattice has fought a handful of fights on ShoBox telecasts with mixed results. In September 2019, Mattice scored a knockout win over prospect Michael Dutchover. Less than five months later, Mattice lost a majority decision to current lightweight contender Isaac Cruz.
Cesena (16-0-1, 13 KOs) will be the fifth unbeaten fighter Mattice will face in his career. In his most notable bout as a pro in August 2021, Cesena, who resides in Loreto, Mexico, defeated Bekman Soylybayev by majority decision in a clash of unbeaten prospects.
Mattice has faced the better opposition and believes Cesena may be in over his head going into the Saturday’s fight.
“I’m going to utilize my skills and adjust from there,” Mattice told The Ring Thursday morning. “When I fought Tapia, I knew I was going to beat him. I know I’m going to beat this kid. I don’t feel like he has what it takes. I’m the better-skilled fighter. I’m going to stay sharp and stay poised. No discredit to my opponent, but I feel the toughest Mexican in boxing is Isaac Cruz.
“I’ve seen his record. He’s decent, but hasn’t fought anyone. Christian Tapia hasn’t fought anyone, but I had him hurt and looking for a way out. I wanted to finish him. I don’t know what my opponent (Cesena) is going to do, but I’m going to make him look for a way out.”
According to Mattice, there is a lot on the line Saturday against Cesena. The winner reportedly will get a crack at Joe Cordina, should he defeat IBF world titleholder Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov on April 22. Rakhimov and Cordina are ranked No. 4 and 5 at 130 pounds, respectively.
Cordina, and now Mattice, fight under the Matchroom Boxing banner. Mattice is willing to face any of the top fighters at 130 pounds.
“I’m not looking past Cesena, but I’ll fight whoever makes the most sense for me,” said Mattice, who is represented by Vick Green. “I’m willing to fight the best, and if a fight against Cordina is available for me, I’ll take it.”
Mattice was a top prospect, but looked vulnerable when he faced Zhora Hamazaryan in July 2018, winning a controversial split-decision. Both would fight to a split-decision draw over two months later. Mattice lost a unanimous decision to Will Madera on February 2019.
Now that his career has momentum and is on the verge of getting big fights, so long as he defeats Cesena Saturday night, Mattice believes he showing who he really is as a top fighter.
“Me personally, I’m the top dog in the division. Or up there. I’ve had injuries in the past and I haven’t performed to expectations or to the best of my ability.
“Every fight is a big fight for me. I’m glad people are finally seeing who I really am as a fighter.”
Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene since September 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing