PACQUIAO, MATTHYSSE MEET AND FACE OFF IN MALAYSIA IN WHAT PROMISES TO BE A GREAT FIGHT IN JULY (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 20 Apr 2018
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Filipino Boxing Legend Manny Pacquiao and WBA Welterweight World Champion Lucas Matthysse of Argentina faced off during today's press conference here as both fighters promised to fight with their hearts for fans at Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur on July 15.
Pacquiao, who is also the promoter of the event ?Fight of Champions,? stressed that he invites everyone to the fight.
?My pleasure to invite everyone to watch my fight with Matthysse,? a fight that, if victorious, will make the hugely beloved Manny Pacquiao a welterweight world champion again.
?For that, ? will have to work hard, train hard for this fight not only as a boxer, but also as a public servant. I believe that my opponent world champion Matthysse will want to fight toe-to-toe, he is not going to back away, he is a good fighter as well,? said Pacqiuao, who is also a Senator in his native Philippines.
?So I have to prepare and the important thing is discipline. After this press conference, I will go back the the Philippines and take care of my training," added the ever smiling, relaxed Pacman.
Pacquiao and Matthysse appear very relaxed while sitting on a wide chair answering questions from the media during the Kuala Lumpur press conference held at the posh Le Meridien Hotel Friday.
Pacquiao (L) and Matthysse (R) with Golden Boy President Eric Gomez (C).
For his side, WBA world champion Lucas Matthysse, a powerful striker who has won 36 of his 39 victories by way of knock out, expressed that he is honored of fighting Pacquiao, and promised to retain his title and take it back to his native Argentina, where he is one of the country's most popular athletes.
Regarding his age, Pacquiao says ?I believe I can still fight and I think my discipline is what is most important; age does not matter.?
In addition, the 8-division world champion seriously expressed in Malaysia that this fight against Matthysse will be by no means his last.
?I want my last fight to be in the Philippines,? said Pacquiao during the presscon here at the plush Le Meridien Hotel Kuala Lumpur, adding that ?? think that I still have a couple more fights before I retire.?
Asked by a local Malaysian reporter if he feels he will have the support of Filipinos in Malaysia, Pacquiao said:
?I feel that all Filipinos will support my fight because even if we have our differences, the Filipino people are united when it's a moment of supporting honor for our country.? So I believe Filipinos are really going to support my fight.?
Meanwhile, Matthysse, who has a calm demeanor, said ?the power of my punches is what gives me confidence to win. Plus, I will have a good preparation and conditioning and way I work in the gym," added Matthysse.
Moreover, Mattthysse said that if he defeats Manny Pacquiao, he is willing to fight any of the top welterweights in the world. However, if his fight with Pacquiao turns out to be a great fight, he will love to have a rematch with Manny, and would even invite the Filipino icon to come to fight in Argentina. Pacquiao just smiled.
?There are so many years that I do not fight in Argentina,? said the 35 year-old Lucas Matthyse It would be great to fight there again. This fight is a really great fight in my career, and I am delighted to fight Manny here in Malaysia,? added Lucas.
Asked how do they see the fight playing out, Pacquiao said he sees Matthysee as an aggressive boxer, willing to engage toe-to-toe.
The Pacman sees Matthysse different than other fights that he has had a fight with.
?He is not a running-running or dancing-dancing. This fight is really a boxing fight... Meaning more boxing action, and I do not want any running-running,? Pacquiao said.
The Argentinian, looking at the excited audience said that this will be a great fight because both are warriors who like to engage. "?t will be great for fans,? said Matthysse.
For his part, Pacquiao said, "I want to get this opportunity to fight here in Asia, this coming one here in Malaysia, the next one might be somewhere else in Asia as well...maybe China or somewhere else."
After the presser was over, both Pacquiao and Matthysse faced off for the cameras and shook hands. The next time they'll meet will be during the fight week in July back here in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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