Thrilla in Malaysia fast shaping up
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 01 May 2018
NOT monumental, burning-bronze, possessed as Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier were in Manila in 1975, but there?s every reason to believe the super warriors in the Fight of Champions WBA world welterweight championship in Kuala Lumpur on July 15 can cause the main event to sizzle, soar and explode into a classic Thrilla in Malaysia.
Both Lucas Matthysse, the WBA welterweight champion, and challenger Manny Pacquiao, are solidly committed to give their hardest best for a defining victory that will ultimately decide their respective careers.
There?s the promise of blazing tactical combat, it could also be bloody and very brutal, with the defending champion repeatedly crying he would be ready and willing to die to keep his three-month old crown.
**
Charge it to hunger on Matthysse?s part. He owns only one world title, compared to Pacquiao who has reigned supreme in a total of eight world boxing classes.
It could also pale out as a clash between a plebe intruder against an all-time ring monarch.
But we must believe boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya who said: Matthysse vs Pacquiao has all the makings of a Fight of the Year sure bet.
**
De La Hoya, who failed to grace the event?s launch-off press conference in Manila last month, has vowed to be at ringside in Kuala Lumpur on July 15.
Pacquiao, out of action for almost a whole year, will try very hard, but will his best be enough; and how much has Manny really got left?
He now trains under boyhood buddy Buboy Fernandez, who has taken over Hall-of-Fame coach Freddie Roach.
**
Pacquiao has not even bothered to talk about a possible knockout.
At the same time, he has confided in his first day back in the gym that he would be fully focused on conditioning.
He would be needing all the stamina he could gain and store in challenging a younger opponent.
Pacquiao swore the Matthysse fight would be both dangerous and difficult.
**
Pacquiao, 39, has personally chosen this killer test against a magnificent 35-year-old hammer man, who has knocked out 36 of the 39 opponents he has beaten.
There?s nothing sure, there?s no turning back.
There are signs the Fight of Champions could finish like the Thrilla in Manila in October 1975 which, as the badly beaten winner Muhammad Al would swear, ?FELT LIKE DEATH.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
UBO Youth World Title Showdown: Aliya Soomro Fights Monika Singh in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 05 Sep 2025Battle of the Hawk Season 1 Finals on September 9; offers P600,000 to the winning team while P300,000 to the losing finalist team
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 05 Sep 2025Press Conference Notes: Oscar Valdez Motivated for Saturday's Homecoming Against Ricky Medina
Fri, 05 Sep 2025SUNDERLAND PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES AS McCORMACK EYES BIG WIN
Fri, 05 Sep 2025THE ROAD TO REYES CUP AND MOSCONI CUP | 2025 PLAYERS QUALIFICATION
Fri, 05 Sep 2025Statement from World Boxing following reports in the French media about French female boxers at the World Boxing Championships
Fri, 05 Sep 2025GenSan Is Our Version of Los Mochis - The City of Boxing Champions
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 05 Sep 2025Iglesias vs. Shishkin: Unsigned Hype
By Chris Carlson, Fri, 05 Sep 2025EDDIE HEARN PROVIDES AJ UPDATE AS PAT McCORMACK NAMES THE BIG FIGHT HE WANTS NEXT IN NEW MATCHROOM BOXING PODCAST
Fri, 05 Sep 2025Team USA’s Path to Gold Set at 2025 World Boxing Championships in Liverpool
Fri, 05 Sep 2025DACS signs up with Amesco Drug
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 05 Sep 2025India’s Monika Singh Battles Aliya Soomro of Pakistan for UBO Youth World 108 in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 04 Sep 2025TEENAGE KICKS: WONDERKIDS LEO ATANG, ADAM MACA AND TIAH-MAI AYTON ARE READY TO LIGHT UP SUNDERLAND THIS SATURDAY
Thu, 04 Sep 2025150 to join Rotary Heritage Aquathlon
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 04 Sep 2025Miguel Berchelt to Return in Reynosa, Tamaulipas; WBC Praises City’s Commitment
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 04 Sep 2025