PACQUIAO-MATTHYSSE FEATS, FACTS AND FIGURES 8: PACQUIAO MATCH IS A DREAM FIGHT FOR MATTHYSSE
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 19 Jun 2018
Lucas Matthysse fully concentrates on his fight with Manny Pacquiao on July 15 at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ?For Lucas it?s a dream come true. He?s wanted to fight Pacquiao for a number of years now, since a number of years back. But for him this is a career defining moment. It?s a dream fight for him. He?s treating it exactly like that,? Eric Gomez of Golden Boy promotions told Boxing News.
?He?s had two setbacks in his career, two setbacks. One of them was the Danny Garcia fight,? Gomez said. ?Obviously the fight with [Viktor] Postol. That was a mandatory fight, he ended up getting injured in the fight and those were the two setbacks in his career. But Lucas has been one of the top fighters for many years now. He?s very exciting. It?s translated to many fans here in the United States because of his style. He?s an aggressive fighter with a big punch.?
Gomez believes that Matthysse (39-4, 36 KOs, 1 no contest) has the critical advantages heading to the Pacquiao fight. He likes Lucas' chances because of the way he?s preparing, and his mental attitude. "He right now in camp is living, eating, breathing Manny Pacquiao. That?s all he thinks about day and night. I think that?s an advantage for him because Manny?s a little past his prime. He?s still a very good fighter. Probably one of the best, he can beat most."
Gomez explained that Manny has a lot of things he has been doing like being a legislator in the Philippines and he?s got s lot of business ventures. He thinks they?re fighting Manny at the right time. who's a little distracted now. "I think that?s the advantage Lucas has. He?s already talking about other fights, he?s talking fighting [Vasyl] Lomachenko or any of the other champions out there. I think he?s overlooking Lucas and that could be a mistake,? Gomez said.
A win would place Matthysse in the pedestal of boxing's elite. ?He wants to fight the top guys, he would like to fight any of the champions. He?d love to fight a Keith Thurman. But anybody. He wants to fight the best. He wants to be the best but we?ll see. We?re going to take it one fight at a time,? Gomez elaborated.
?This is his moment. This is what he?s waited for years now and that?s all we?re concentrating on right now, is Manny Pacquiao. He?s got to beat Manny Pacquiao. If he loses to Manny, he?s going to have a really tough time whether he can continue. It really depends on this fight. This is everything for him," Gomez added.
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Freddie Roach talked about being sacked in Pacquiao?s coming fight in Barbershop Conversations: ?I hope he does well. Yeah, I mean, I had 16 great years with the kid so I hope he does well. I wish him nothing but the best.?
When asked how he found out he would not be training Pacquiao for the fight against Matthysse he answered: ?Same way everyone else did. By the newspapers. No calls but what are you going to do??
He spoke on his lasting memories with Pacquiao: ?We had a relationship that was unbelievable for 16 years. Most marriages don?t last that long! The thing is I wish I got a call from him because I would go for free.?
* * *
In the Pacquiao-Matthysse undercard, WBA junior flyweight titlist Venezuela's Carlos Canizales (20-0-1, 16 KOs), 25-years-old, will defend his crown for the first time when he faces 2016 Chinese Olympian Lu Bin (1-0, 1 KOs), who is 23-years-old. If Bin grabs the flyweight belt, even if it is a minor title, in his second professional fight he would break the record for fewest fights to win a world title held by Ukraine's Vasiliy Lomachenko and Thailand's Saensak Muangsurim who became champions in three pro fights.
In another title bout on the same card, former flyweight titlist South African Moruti Mthalane (35-2, 24 KOs), 35-years-old, and Pakistan's Muhammad Waseem (8-0, 6 KOs), who is 30-years-old, will clash for the IBF flyweight belt vacated by Donnie Nietes, who moved up to fight for a title in a fourth weight class as a superflyweight.
The card will also include a 12-round WBA featherweight fight for a minor belt between Jhack Tepora (21-0, 16 KOs), 25-years-old, of the Philippines, and Edivaldo "Indio" Ortega (26-1-1, 12 KOs), who is 27, from Mexico.
"I am excited. The fans are excited. Malaysia is ready. Let's get on with this fight," said Pacquiao, who is being trained by childhood friend and longtime assistant coach Buboy Fernandez. Pacquiao (59-7-2, 38 KOs), now aged 39, is the only eight-division world champion, will fight for the first time since he lost his WBO welterweight title via a controversial unanimous decision to Jeff Horn last July.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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