Manny won't initiate, says Buboy
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 15 Jul 2018
KUALA LUMPUR. Head trainer Buboy Fernandez has advised Manny Pacquiao not to initiate action against WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse and instead, wait for the Argentinian to make the first move then counterpunch in their 12-round title out at the Axiata Arena here this morning.
Fernandez, who lost a tooth from what seemed like a glancing blow during a mitt session with Pacquiao the other day, said even if Matthysse is known to be a slow starter, it?s dangerous to rush him. ?Of course, if there?s an opportunity to end it early, why not?? he said. ?But I don?t want Manny to rush. I?m sure Matthysse will try to fight like (Juan Manuel) Marquez. He?ll wait for Manny to come in then counter. Manny won?t do what Matthysse wants him to do.?
Fernandez said Matthysse will stick close to Pacquiao because that?s his chance to connect. ?I?ve told Manny not to block Matthysse?s punch but go under it,? he said. ?Manny won?t stand still, he?ll go 1-2 then step out. On defense, Manny will go under Matthysse?s punch so he?s not standing to get hit with an upper. Manny will be patient.?
Fernandez said he has studied several of Matthysse?s fights, primarily against Viktor Postol who knocked him out and Devon Alexander who beat him on points. ?Postol frustrated Matthysse with his jab while Alexander outboxed him,? he said. ?Manny?s quicker than Alexander and he?ll easily outbox Matthysse. Postol has sparred with Manny so we know what he?s capable of. Against Matthysse, Manny can?t get careless.?
As for the outcome, Fernandez said someone is going down and it?s not Pacquiao. ?Stamina is no problem for Manny,? he said. ?When he takes off his shirt, you?ll see how well he?s trained for this fight. Justin (Fortune) did a good job getting him ready. What I like about this fight is there will only be one voice in the corner. Manny and I have known each other a long time. Sometimes, we just do eye contact and we know what we?re both thinking.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 18 JANUARY 2026: Nikita Tszyu-Michael Zerafa End in No Contest; Raul Curiel Outpoints Jordan Panthen
By Eric Armit, Mon, 19 Jan 2026Ryan Daye ready for WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Mon, 19 Jan 2026RAUL “EL CUGÁR” CURIEL CRUISES TO UNANIMOUS DECISION WIN OVER JORDAN “THE PATRIOT” PANTHEN
Sat, 17 Jan 2026Weights from Philadelphia
Sat, 17 Jan 2026Mexico Commemorates 12th Death Anniversary of Don Jose Sulaiman (Photos)
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 17 Jan 2026MOLLY McCANN EYES 'HUGE' STATEMENT START TO 2026 AS SHE JOINS BUMPER WOOD-WARINGTON CARD IN NOTTINGHAM ON FEBRUARY 21
Sat, 17 Jan 2026NEW MAIN EVENT ANNOUNCED! RAUL CURIEL SCHEDULED TO FACE JORDAN PANTHEN IN MIDDLEWEIGHT SCRAP
Fri, 16 Jan 2026SMALLS VS RAMOS TOPS STACKED UNDERCARD FOR NAVARRETE-NUNEZ BLOCKBUSTER IN GLENDALE
Fri, 16 Jan 2026Usyk Linked to Zuffa Boxing Deal as Questions Loom Over Title Defenses
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 16 Jan 2026Abass Baraou: "No One Has Been Able to Withstand My Pressure!"
Fri, 16 Jan 2026Wise Owl Boxing Signs Rising Female Star Chantel “Chicanita” Navarro
Fri, 16 Jan 2026Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC wants to protect fighters' dream of becoming a world champion
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 15 Jan 2026Xander Zayas: "It's Time to Make History!"
Thu, 15 Jan 2026Weights from Trenton, NJ
Thu, 15 Jan 2026Pro Boxer and Recent Grad Returns for Fight Night on the Farm — Celebrating Stanford’s Boxing Community
Thu, 15 Jan 2026