By Radio Rahim

Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya is tipping a potential fight between Lucas Matthysse (37-3, 34 KOs) and Manny Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38KOs) to be a guaranteed "Fight of The Year" encounter.

Matthysse is in the running to face Pacquiao in early 2016. Other names being mentioned by Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, include Amir Khan, Terence Crawford and Kell Brook.

A few days ago, Arum informed krikya360.com's Steve Kim that he plans to be ringside on Saturday night at the StubHub Center in Carson, when Matthysse faces Top Rank promoted Viktor Postol (27-0, 11 KOs) in an HBO televised fight for the vacant WBC junior welterweight title.

If Matthysse is impressive, De La Hoya feels his boxer can secure the Pacquiao opportunity.

"It's excitement all over it. It’s two Mack trucks clashing together. Manny Pacquiao’s style and Lucas Matthysse’s style - it calls for another fight of the year. There’s no doubt about it,” De La Hoya said.

The Golden promoter cautions that a win over Postol, who is trained by Freddie Roach, is no easy task. De La Hoya sees it as a very tough bout for both sides.

"This is a difficult fight. It's a tough fight. Lucas Matthysse is in great and ready for this fight like every other fight in the past. Postol is lanky, he’s strong and he has a great trainer in his corner - so we know he’s ready. It’s gonna be a good fight. It’s going to be a tough fight for both guys," De La Hoya said.