April 18 will be another great fight. We know it is very difficult battle, but we are sure that Lucas will come out with his hand raised. We are very pleased with Lucas's career. We know this is just the beginning," De La Hoya said.
"I look at the future. The confidence we have in Matthysse allows us to think about what comes. We have big plans for him. We want the winner of the fight on May 2...between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao . But first things first, and that's the April 18the match against Provodnikov, which is going to be a very special night in which we are sure he will be victorious. "
"Lucas is the best 140-pounder in the world, and perhaps he will also [be the best] at 147. He has the style of a brawler, but he also thinks and has great technique and calculates his shots well. He is a complete fighter."