IT'S OFFICIAL: PACQUIAO PICKS WBA CHAMP LUCAS MATTHYSSE AS NEXT RING OPPONENT
By Aquiles Z. Zonio
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 08 Mar 2018
MAKATI CITY ? The MP Promotions of Sen. Manny Pacquiao and the Golden Boy Promotions of boxing legend Oscar Dela Hoya will stage the Pacquiao-Matthysse World Boxing Association Welterweight title fight in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on June 24.
?I like his aggressive fighting style. That?s what I want to entertain the boxing fans. Besides, Matthysse is not a dirty fighter and I highly respect him for that,? Pacquiao bared late Thursday afternoon here.
Matthysse totes a ring record of 39 wins and four losses with 36 knockouts as against Pacquiao?s 59 wins, seven losses and two draws with 39 knockouts.
Pacquiao confirmed that his team will fly out to Kuala Lumpur on March 22 for the official launching of the fight.
Dela Hoya and Team Matthysse are expected to be there in time for the scheduled launching.
Media tour to promote the Pacquiao-Matthysse encounter will follow the day after the official launching.
Media tours will cover key cities in Asia like Beijing, Tokyo, Macau and Hongkong, among others.
?I knew, this is going to be a tough fight. Matthysse is also a knockout artist. But I?m excited to fight and be a world champion again. So, expect me to train hard for this fight,? Pacquiao revealed.
Pacquiao will start his training in the middle of April in his own Wild Card Boxing Gym in General Santos City.
Training will transfer to Manila from May 14 to June 1 then back to Gensan from June 2 until the second week of June.
The boxer-lawmaker claimed June 24 is an ideal date for his next fight as the Senate is on break from March 24 to May 13 then from June 2 to July 22.
?I?m the underdog in this fight but I?m used to it. It serves as a big motivation for me to train and fight hard to win the crown,? Pacquiao said.
Restituto ?Buboy? Fernandez, Nonoy Neri and Roger ?Haplas? Fernandez will take charge once the training camp starts.
Buboy Fernandez, Pacquiao?s bosom buddy and assistant trainer for years, assured the boxing fans this will be an exciting fight.
?Bugbogan talaga ?to kasi aggressive fighter si Matthysse. Kaya ang payo ko sa mga boxing fans, abangan talaga n?yo itong Pacquiao-Matthysse fight,? Fernandez said.
The last time Kuala Lumpur played host to big boxing event was in 1975 during the world heavyweight title bout between Muhammad Ali and Joe Bugner.
Staging the Pacquiao-Matthysse ring duel on June 24 will be Malaysia?s first world title match after 43 years.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Aquiles Z. Zonio.
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