Matthysse isn't scared of Pacquiao's tag as 'Mexicutioner'
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 12 Jul 2018
Lucas Matthysse, the tattooed hard-punching World Boxing Association welterweight champion, knows his challenger Manny Pacquiao?s success against South American fighters, particularly Mexicans.
Why, he is not even scared of Pacquiao?s reputation beating all the Mexican fighters that crossed his path in his 23 years as a prizefighter, including his promoter Oscar de la Hoya, that earned him the moniker the ?Mexicutioner.?
?Yeah, I know that. I know he?s (Pacquiao) great against Mexicans, but I?m sorry to say that he has yet to fight and win over an Argentine,? Matthysse blurted out when reminded of Pacquiao?s record versus Latinos during Thursday?s press preview of their coming title encounter on Sunday here.
The champ?s sharp reply drew approval from members of his team and his Argentine friends and supporters in attendance of the media event held at the Hilton Hotel ballroom.
Even Pacquiao, who was seated beside him in the middle of ef stage couldn?t help but smile in response to Matthysse?s statement.
In a conversation with this writer after the presscon, Pacquiao said: ?I don?t blame him for saying that, he was just expressing his feeling. Siyemre tulad ng mga Mexicano na tinalo natin, masakit din sa isang Latinong tulad niya.?
Matthysse and Pacquiao collide on Sunday morning for the former?s 147-pound crown at the Axiata Arena here headlining a four world championship-bout card presented by the Pacquiao-owned MP Promotions in coordination with De La Hoya?s Golden Promotions.
Both protagonists promised to put up a good fight and bring the title home to their respective country and people.
Asked why he chose Matthysse in what could be one of his few remaining fights, Pacquiao reiterated his oft repeated pronouncement that the Argentine being an aggressive fighter will be good for the fans to watch.
Manny said he trained long and hard staying in the camp for 120 days in his effort to reclaim his status as champion, adding he and his training team has done everything that is to be done to attain that goal.
Matthysse, for his part, likewise, prepared for three months, first in Argentina then in California, saying, ?I don?t intend to give away the title just like that.?
De La Hoya, who arrived that same day, congratulated Pacquiao for putting up the card featuring Asian fighters with the aim of helping them win world championships.
Matthysse was short of saying that one additional motivation for him in battling Pacquiao is to turn the table on Pacquiao and cut short the once pound-for-pound king's reputation as the "Mexicutioner."
Besides DeLa Hoya, whom Pacquiao technically knocked out in the eighth round in their epic encounter in December 2008 in the process retiring him, had also beaten fellow future Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, Erik Morales and David Diaz, among others.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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