KUALA LUMPUR–It’s going to be “war” in Malaysia as WBA welterweight
champion Lucas Matthysse didn’t hide his intentions of defending his
championship belt by retiring boxing’s living legend Manny Pacquiao 10
days from now here.
Just right after landing from a grueling 18-hour journey from the
other side of the Pacific, Matthysse and his team buckled down to
work, hitting the gym and tried to shake the effects of jet lag in his
system.
Fight day will be on July 15 at the Axiata Arena (July 14, 8 PM in the
US) and three other world championship fights are scheduled to add
drama to the roadshow presented by Pacquiao’s own MP Promotions.
So focused is Matthysse that he only has Pacquiao on his mind. How to
beat the fighting Senator from the Philippines, the only eight-weight
division champion of boxing, is the only order of business for him.
“Manny Pacquiao. I want to defeat a legendary fighter like Manny. This
is not Judah, Alexander, Postol or Garcia,” said Matthysse, who planed
in together with manager Mario Arano, trainer Joel Diaz, Golden Boy
Promotions PR man Ramiro Gonzalez and three others who are helping out
in training.
Matthysse has a 39-4 win-loss record with 36 of these fights ending by
spectacular knockouts. Incidentally, (Zab) Judah, (Victor) Postol,
(Devon) Alexander and (Danny) Garcia are the only boxers who have
beaten the 35-year-old fighter in the past.
For Arano, Matthysse has gotten over these losses and has become a
more dangerous and complete fighter since last losing to Postol in
2015.
His lean but mean entourage pales in comparison to Pacquiao’s own
team, which will arrive on Monday–a whole plane-load of trainers
flying on a chartered flight from General Santos City, including
utility persons and fans and supporters.
Matthysse’s early arrival signified his desire to leave nothing behind
and ensure victory for Argentina. “This is Manny Pacquiao, and this is
the quest for anyone in boxing (to defeat Pacquiao,)” said Matthysse.
