Pacquiao, Matthysse Continue Their Collision Course for the WBA 147 Belt July 15 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 02 Jul 2018
MANILA, Philippines -- Despite rumors that their title fight would not push-through, 8-division world champion Manny Pacquiao and Argentinian knockout artist Lucas "La Maquina" Matthysse continue in collision course for their rumble for Matthysse's WBA "regular" welterweight world title July 15 at the 15,000-seat Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Just two weeks short of fight night, Pacquiao presses-on on his daily sweating routine assisted by his coach and lifelong friend Buboy Fernandez at his MP Boxing Gym in his hometown of General Santos City in the southern Philippines island of Mindanao; while the hard-hitting heavily tattooed Matthysse, a fighter of Oscar de la Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, does the same thing at his California training camp.
The worrisome rumors pointed at the issue of funding for the fight. Even so, the Pacquiao-Matthysse fight is a go, promised Manny Pacquiao himself:
"As far as I am concerned, the fight will take place as scheduled. It's an effort to make boxing fans happy. It will be the most exciting boxing show seen in Malaysia since Muhammad Ali fought Joe Bugner in Malaysia in 1975," Pacquiao said.
The much awaited clash will be Pacquiao's first rumble after losing his title in controversial fashion to rough brawler Jeff Horn one year ago in Australia. In contrast, Lucas Matthysse (39-4, 36 KO's) of Argentina comes from winning the vacant WBA welterweight world title by knocking out relatively unknown Thai boxer Tewa Kiram last January 27.
Matthysse will be making his first title defense against the legendary Pacquiao, 39, at a crucial time when fight fans worldwide wonder if the ever popular Pacman has still enough power and speed at his disposal to rock a tough opponent and capture yet another world title.
A thrilling win over Matthysse would propel Pacquiao into much more lucrative fights against any of boxing's top dogs Terrence Crawford (33-0, 24 KO's), Vasyl Lomanchenko (11-1, 9 KO's) or Errol Spence Jr (24-0, 21 KO's).
RING OFFICIALS FOR THE WBA TITLE FIGHTS
The Pacquiao vs Matthysse "Battle of Champions" is one of the three WBA world title fights set to heat up the ring, the other two are Filipino Jhack Tepora (21-0, 16 KO's) against tough Zanfer's fighter Edivaldo Ortega (26-1-1, 12 KO's) of Tijuana, Mexico for the vacant WBA 126 world title; and Venezuelan WBA Jr. Flyweight world champion Carlos Ca?izales (20-0-1, 16 KO's) defending title against Chinese challenger Bin Lu (1-0, 1 KO's).
The ring officials assigned for the Pacquiao-Matthysse world title fight July 14 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, are third man Luis Pabon of Puerto Rico, veteran judge Stanley Christodoulou of South Africa, Jean Robert Laine of Monaco and Nelson Vazquez of Puerto Rico.
Also, making their trip to Malaysia for WBA title fights are ring officials Gustavo Padilla of Panama, Roberto Ramirez Jr. of Puerto Rico and Nelson Vasquez also of Puerto Rico.
In addition to the three WBA matches, there is one IBF title fight in the Malaysia card, featuring experienced 35 year-old South African former world champion Moruti Mthalane (35-2, 24 KO's) battling undefeated heavy-handed Pakistani fighter Muhammad Waseem (8-0, 6 KO's) for the vacant IBF Flyweight World Title.
The 30 year-old Waseem - still an inexperienced pro fighter if compared with Mthalane - comes from scoring three consecutive knock out wins over unheralded opponents in Panama. The Pakistani boxer will travel to Malaysia with his Las Vegas-based head trainer Jeff Mayweather.
PACQUIAO VS MATTHYSSE TICKETS ON SALE
Tickets for the Pacquiao vs Matthyse "Battle of Champions" in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, are already on sale. Prices in US Dollars range from $ 5,300 to $ 130, as follows:
VVIP Tickets: PHP 263,500 pesos - US$ 5,300
VIP Tickets: PHP 105,850 pesos - US$ 2,300
Diamond: PHP 52,850 pesos - US$ 1,000
Platinum: PHP 26,350 pesos - US$ 530
Silver: PHP 13,100 pesos - US$ 260
Bronze: PHP 6,500 pesos - US$ 130
Fight tickets can be purchased online at the SM Tickets official web site:
www.smtickets.com/events/view/6896#
The Pacquiao-Matthysse WBA 147 pound world-title fight is a production of MP Promotions to be broadcast live in North America on ESPN. In Latin America on Canal Space, in Australia on Main Event, in Panama on Lo Mejor del Boxeo Canal 4. In Argentina on on TNT Sports (premium channel), and in the Philippines aired live on open TV on ABS-CBN and on PPV via SkyCable PPV (PHP 949 pesos).
Pacquiao and Matthysse with the author. Photo taken during Filming of a Talk Show were both fighters acted as friendly gentllemen towards each other.
This author of this story Carlos Costa, 57, of Panama is a fight reporter based in in Cebu, Philippines. He will attend the Pacquiao-Matthysse fight in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Carlos can be reached by email: Carlos512@hotmail.com and by Viber/Whatsapp: +639184538152.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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