By Jake Donovan

Lucas Matthysse has never been one to shy away from a challenge. The free-swinging Argentine is so anxious for another big fight that he's traveled all the way to Cincinnati, the hometown of Adrien Broner where both will appear on the same show.

The idea is for a head-on collission as long as both win. Broner has already voiced his desire to take on Matthysse, who - on paper - has the more difficult task of the two.

That's because his opponent, Roberto Ortiz doesn't know how to lose - although he hasn't yet faced someone of Matthysse's ilk.

Then again, Matthysse was supposed to win his last fight with room to spare.

His April showdown with John Molina Jr. was designed as a bounceback opportunity from his points loss to Danny Garcia last September. Instead, Matthysse (35-3, 33KOs) was made to look human, forced to overcome two knockdowns to drop and eventually stop Molina in the 11th round of a Fight of the Year candidate.

Ortiz (31-0-1, 24KOs) hasn't been involved in anything on that level, though that's not to say his fights lack action. His wide-open, come-forward style always makes for entertaining evenings, with several of his past few bouts featuring plenty of blood, but - for every fight since Dec. '07 - always ending with a win.

Can the unbeaten contender from Mexico continue his winning ways, pulling off a major upset in the process? Or will Matthysse return to his terrozing form, making a statement while awaiting Broner to do his part in the main event?

Read on to find out how the staff at BoxingScene.com believes tonight’s co-feature action plays out.

BOXINGSCENE.COM STAFF PREDICTIONS: LUCAS MATTHYSSE VS. ROBERTO ORTIZ

Ryan Burton (Matthysse TKO11): “Look for Matthysse to do what he does best, but forced to go deep before stopping Ortiz late."

Jake Donovan (Matthysse TKO10): “Ortiz will certainly do his best to give a good account of himself. How long he lasts might depend on how well his skin holds up. Not sure his wide-open style fares well against someone with Matthysse's fight-ending power."

Ernest Gabion (Matthysse TKO6): “The Machine is back!”

Reynaldo Sanchez (Matthysse UD): “Lucas vs Ortiz is a good fight. Matthysse seems showed slightly more than Ortiz on this weight."

Alexey Sukachev (Matthysse TKO7): “You never know when matching a fighter with an unknown but undefeated prospect from far away. Little is known or seen of Ortiz, so his real power will be tested here for the first time. The fact that he debuts in the States at the age of 28 makes me think he is either flawed or too late to show. We shall see though.”

Anson Wainwright (Matthysse TKO8): “The most exciting looking bout on this weekend's Showtime card. Matthysse brings guarenteed action everytime he fights and in Ortiz he's facing another good puncher. Ortiz is unbeaten in 32-fights but has never been in with anyone as good or powerful as Matthysse. I see this one being an all-action shootout with both fighters having their moments and maybe making trips to the canvas but Matthysse's greater experience, will be key to him getting a stoppage in around 8.”

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com, as well as a member of Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox