HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA (August 9, 2021) – Eight-division world champion and boxer laureate Senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao has no use for a rearview mirror, at least when it comes to his illustrious boxing career, so says his Hall of Fame trainer of 20 years, world-famous Freddie Roach.  Today, amazin’ Manny, 42, begins his final week of training camp, at Hollywood, California-based Wild Card Boxing Club, for his August 21 challenge of undefeated unified WBC/IBF welterweight world champion Errol Spence Jr.  Spence, who is 11 years younger and over four inches taller than Manny, is, arguably, Manny’s biggest fight, in a boxing lifetime made up of big boxing events and spectacular victories.  Manny enters this battle riding a historic string of welterweight title victories over Lucas Matthysse, Adrien Broner, and Keith Thurman, which resulted in Manny, at age 40, becoming the oldest man to win a welterweight world championship belt.  Manny’s last three opponents boasted a combined record of 101-7-1 (82 KOs) — a winning percentage of 93% with a victory by knockout ratio of 81% — when Manny defeated them.  One of boxing’s most beloved warriors, Manny has held a world title in every decade, going back to the nineties. 

“Manny doesn’t need to play his golden oldies.  He is still producing new hits,” said Freddie.  “He hasn’t cut one corner in training camp.  Not one.  He runs up the hills in Griffith Park straight to the Hollywood sign.  He crunches thousands of sit-ups daily.  He spars three days each week and hits every bag on the gym floor with bad intentions every day.  He is still the hardest worker I have ever trained and an eager student.  He wants this one more than anything.  Manny isn’t training this hard to say goodbye.  It’s to prove he’s still here.  Philippine politics might influence when Manny hangs up his gloves.  Maybe this is Manny’s last fight.  But this summer, he has been training for his greatest victory, and for Manny, that is saying something.  It’s the stuff that greatness is made of.”        

Manny, (62-7-2, 39 KOs), who hails from Sarangani Province in the Philippines, is the one-time Boxing Writers Association of America Fighter of the Decade and three-time Fighter of the Year.  He faces his biggest professional boxing challenge when he goes mano a mano with Spence (27-0, 21 KOs), from DeSoto, Texas.  The Pacquiao-Spence world championship event, which headlines a FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View, Saturday, August 21 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, is promoted by TGB Promotions, MP Promotions and Man Down Promotions.  The pay-per-view will begin at 9 p.m. RT / 6 p.m. PT.  Remaining tickets can be purchased through t-mobilearena.com and axs.com.

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For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes and @TGBPromotions become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA (July 20, 2021) — As we look forward to the showdown between eight-division world champion and boxer laureate Senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and unified WBC/IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr., which is 32 days away, it seems only fitting to look back at Manny’s thrilling victory over  then undefeated WBA welterweight “super” champion Keith Thurman, which took place two years ago today in Las Vegas.  Manny opened the fight with a first-round knockdown of Thurman en route to a 12-round split decision victory.  As Thurman accurately stated in his post-fight interview, “It was a night of blessings and lessons.”  Manny’s victory over Thurman was a career highlight for boxing’s longest and most successful partnership.  For 20 years, Manny has had his trainer, world-famous Freddie Roach, in his corner, literally and figuratively, winning world titles in seven different weight divisions in a career of firsts that not only defines the champion he repeatedly became, but the Filipino spirit which has been embraced by the world.  During those the past 20 years, Manny has played David to a roster of Hall of Fame Goliaths, scoring the most impressive victories of his era against the likes of Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Márquez, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, and Shane Mosley.  In his last three fights, which took place during a 12-month period, from July 15, 2018 through July 20, 2019, Manny ran the table, winning welterweight world title fights against Lucas Matthysse, Adrien Broner, and Thurman.  

Below, please find selected clips from ringside, and a link to the FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View telecast.          

• Manny Pacquiao vs. Keith Thurman Full Fight | HIGHLIGHTS | PBC ON FOX – YouTube
• Manny Pacquiao: Thurman win the perfect ending, if he wants it – Sports Illustrated
• Manny Pacquiao remains the most riveting fighter of his generation (espn.com)
• Manny Pacquiao beats Keith Thurman by split decision (apnews.com)
• Ellerbe squashes talk of Pacquiao-Mayweather rematch (yahoo.com)
• Dwyre: Manny Pacquiao’s victory would be the ultimate farewell to a storied career – Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)
• Whicker: Manny Pacquiao’s win over Thurman will reverberate for a while – Orange County Register (ocregister.com)
• Manny Pacquiao defies Father Time with another signature victory | Las Vegas Review-Journal (reviewjournal.com)
• Pacquiao mulls future after title stunner (yahoo.com)
• Manny Pacquiao beats Keith Thurman by split decision for welterweight title – Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)
• In a blistering bout, Thurman couldn’t keep up with the ageless Pacquiao (and other observations from Las Vegas) – The Athletic

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Manny (62-7-2, 39 KOs), the one-time Boxing Writers Association of America Fighter of the Decade and three-time BWAA Fighter of the Year, hails from Sarangani Province in the Philippines.  He faces his biggest professional boxing challenge when he takes on Spence (27-0, 21 KOs), of Desoto, Texas.  Spence is 11 years younger and over four inches taller than the amazin’ Manny.  Would Manny have it any other way?  The Pacquiao-Spence world championship event, which headlines a FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View, Saturday, August 21 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, is promoted by TGB Promotions, MP Promotions and Man Down Promotions.  The pay-per-view will begin at 9 p.m. RT / 6 p.m. PT.  Remaining tickets can be purchased through t-mobilearena.com and axs.com.

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For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes and @TGBPromotions become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.

WHAT: SHOWTIME Sports will continue to serve boxing fans during the current hiatus from live sports with another edition of SHOWTIME BOXING CLASSICS this week featuring two all-action fights with John Molina, Jr. In the first bout, Molina loses a war against Argentina’s Lucas Matthysse followed by Molina’s amazing comeback victory against Mickey Bey in the second bout.

WHEN: Tonight/Friday, April 24, at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

WHERE TO WATCH: On SHOWTIME, SHOWTIME ANYTIME^®, and the SHOWTIME stand-alone streaming service

QUOTABLE: “I still have nightmares about those last 58 seconds and what would have happened to my career had the time ran out,” Molina said of the Bey fight. “I would have never signed with Al Haymon without those final 58 seconds. I still have longtime members of the boxing press to this day come up and tell me that in 30 years of covering boxing, the Matthysse fight was the only fight they’ve ever had to turn away from and not watch because it was such a brutal war. I didn’t realize how special it was till I went back and watched it.”

ADDED COVERAGE: During Friday’s SHOWTIME BOXING CLASSICS telecast, Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell, the network’s versatile combat sports analysts, will host a live companion episode of their digital talk show MORNING KOMBAT on the Morning Kombat YouTube Channel. Thomas and Campbell will watch the SHOWTIME replay and react to the fights in real time, feature special guest interviews with principal participants from the bouts (fighters, trainers, referees and promoters) and take questions from fans while the bouts replay on the network.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, the issue of Manny Pacquiao not receiving payment from Top Rank for the July 15th fight against Lucas Matthysse for the American Television rights is being solved.

“Congratulations and good luck to Top Rank Boxing and ESPN on your 7-year partnership agreement,” Pacquiao wrote. “I know both of you have been very busy finalizing the deal. However, I have not received the U.S. rights payment for my July 15 fight against Lucas Matthysse that was broadcast on ESPN plus. Therefore, I am initiating legal proceedings against Top Rank and all other parties based on the non-payment and attempt to restrict my future rights. Thank you.”

“We read the Instagram post and [Top Rank attorney] Harrison [Whitman] handled it with Pacquiao’s attorney, and it looks like everything will be resolved,” Top Rank’s Arum told ESPN.

A couple weeks after being stopped by Manny Pacquiao has announced his retirement, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“Thanks to boxing for changing my life,” Matthysse wrote on social media in announcing his retirement. “I remember the Argentine national boxing team, where it was very hard but good. I remember in my life all of the kids that I met and the tremendous boxers who represented Argentina with good and bad results, but it was a great experience in my life that I will always remember.

“I came to Trelew (Argentina) at 21 years old. Me and my family, we decided to go back to Junin where I spent 11 years of my career with the great trainer Cuty Barrera and today, at 35 years old, I am once again back in Trelew. I am proud that I maintained my career for 10 years at the world level, where I fought with the best in boxing and I fulfilled my dream of being a world champion.”

“Thanks to all those who followed me in my career, for all of their love because that is the most beautiful thing in this sport of boxing, which is a nice environment,” Matthysse said. “Today, I decide to hang up the gloves because another stage in my life is coming. Many thanks to all of the people that I met thanks to boxing.”

By Bart Barry-

Saturday on the ESPN+ app Filipino Manny Pacquiao smelted Argentine welterweight titlist Lucas Matthysse in Malaysia. Saturday on no app whatever undefeated Russian cruiserweight Murat Gassiev will fight undefeated Ukrainian cruiserweight Oleksandr Usyk in Moscow to unify their division. If the latter’s lack of an American broadcaster is bizarre, the former’s broadcaster was indeed apropos.

A temptation at times like these is to hedge one’s SportsCenterish prepositional phrase. Y’all know the drill: “in recent memory” is the way you take credit for boldness one word before you walk things back with a comma. Not today. After Saturday’s 25-minute comain of commercials, junior-dev graphics and overwrought pontification, it’s time someone other than an ESPN employee asserts what so many of us feel.

Manny Pacquiao’s comeback tilt in Kuala Lumpur was the greatest ESPN+ fight in history.

Before its cancellation some years back ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights” consistently presented the weakest boxing on television, the sort of underbudgeted slop advertisers and reputable promoters skirred. Far from appearing on FNF himself Pacquiao wouldn’t consider permitting towelboy Buboy to chiefsecond even Manila minimumweights on the program. Yet here we are in 2018 and Pacquiao’s now fighting on the smartphone equivalent of FridayNightFights.com.

A word or two about that, actually. What the hell are commercials doing on a paid stream? Having charged us $5/month ESPN gave us at least a halfhour of commercials during its otherwise-inexplicable 150-minute prefight Pacquiao promotion, and had its commentary crew act like nothing was the matter. “Two revenue streams!” some pitchman inevitably proclaimed, but that’s all sorts of wrong because most Saturday viewers were on a free trial and won’t be renewing after the three hours of their lives they just gave ESPN+ for seven rounds of desired boxing. “But wait,” they say, “there are all those Muhammad Ali fights that come with your subscription!” – like either they don’t know about YouTube or figure we don’t.

Almost a decade ago one of promoter Top Rank’s leaders talked about a concept he called “brand of boxing” – encouraging his peers to imagine their sport as an ecosystem whose general health be far more important than any one of their events. Today an American aficionado spends monthly $25 for basic cable (ESPN), $10-$15 for Showtime, $5 for ESPN+ and soon $10-$20 for DAZN – and that $50-$65 monthly bill assumes both a savvy cordcutting bent for our aficionado and his cancellation of HBO some time ago. But here’s the brand-of-boxing punchline: That kind of money spent the first week of July, our aficionado looks forward to the year’s best fight this Saturday and finds to his amazement somehow not one of these sundry pay services is televising Murat Gassiev vs. Oleksandr Usyk to crown the rarest thing in our beloved sport – an undefeated, undisputed, unified champion of the world.

A word or two about that, too, actually. Gassiev-Usyk is a fascinating cruiserweight culmination of World Boxing Super Series’ inaugural season. Former Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer is associated with the WBSS and repulsive. There’s no history needed to make that assertion; if we, as men, were taught to trust our intuition the way mothers do, we’d all have heeded our genuine first impressions of Schaefer 14 years ago. But while Schaefer once combined visibility and repulsiveness in a unique way he’s not otherwise repulsively unique and definitely not repulsive enough to keep us from enjoying what exceptional cruiserweight matches WBSS gave us in its semifinal round. But Schaefer or somebody affiliated with him appears to have repulsed American broadcasters sufficiently to keep Gassiev-Usyk off even our smartphones.

Which makes brand-of-boxing, for the next week at least, toxic.

Writing of which, how about that Lucas Matthysse? We already knew power punchers kept prizefighting’s frailest psyches, but Matthysse’s comportment these last few years makes one consider the symmetrical possibility a boxer’s mental hardiness is inversely proportionate to his punching power.

Five years ago while writing The Ring cover story mentioned on Saturday’s broadcast I came across an exquisite Argentine boxing writer named Osvaldo Príncipi whose Spanish prose and presence make him something like South America’s Hugh McIlvaney. During our correspondence he attributed a whole lot of things like Mathysse’s tattoos to a divorce. I felt for Matthysse then; by all accounts the guy does little in his life but love his daughter, play with his dogs, avoid the media and fight.

Saturday’s second knockdown, though, is hard to excuse. It’s one thing to realize you’re in over your head and race towards unconsciousness, but it’s something else entirely to court it so wishfully – to hope a punch cuts the lights, find it didn’t, then in full consciousness genuflect to your opponent. Let’s move on.

Saturday’s iteration of Manny Pacquiao was a pleasant return to what belligerence once endeared him to so many of us. A return to the man who dealt swiftly and disproportionately with anyone who caused him a sting, a man who didn’t collect grievances or connive but rather sought instant redress – that’s who we saw go after Matthysse each of the three times the Argentine did something offensive to Pacquiao. And it was electrifying.

So Pacquiao fights on. One can’t seriously entertain the possibility GGG is a great middleweight – hard stop – and begrudge Pacquiao three or four farewell tours against career 140-pounders like Matthysse or a talented lightweight like Vasyl Lomachenko. In fact, Pacquiao-Lomachenko in Helsinki might make a great Christmas present for ESPN+ subscribers.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

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People were expecting an old Manny Pacquiao, but what they got was the Old Manny Pacquiao as he stopped Lucas Matthysse in seven one-sided rounds to capture the WBA Welterweight title at Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.

Pacquiao displayed handpeed and power that he has not displayed in at least half a decade which led him to land at will on Matthysse.

In round three, Pacquiao landed a perfect lead left uppercut to the chin that Sent Matthysse to the canvas.  In round five, it was a right hook to the head that momentarily wobbled and then Matthysse took a knee.

Pacquiao ended things in round seven, when it was another uppercut that sent Matthysse to the canvas.  Referee Kenny Bayless called a halt to the action at 2:43.

Pacquiao is now 60-7-2 with 39 knockouts.  Matthysse is 39-5.

“You have to love what you do in order to do what I still do as a
39-year-old fighter,” said Pacquiao, who trained hardest despite his
age, pushing himself to the limit.

“Do I look old,?” asked Pacquiao laughing in front of the members of
media at the post-fight press conference.

“Not today,” said Pacquiao, who was cheered on by Philip[pine
president Rodrigo Duterte who watched in the presidential suite with
new Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. “Of course, it was an
extra motivational tool for me to fight well and careful.”

“We will take a rest for now before we decide what to do next,” said
Pacquiao, who goes back to work this week as the Philippine Senate
opens its sessions.

Jhack Tepora won the vacant interim WBA Featherweight title with a 9th round stoppage over Edivaldo Ortega.

Tepora dominated the action, and landed a hard left uppercut that sent Ortega to the canvas,  Tepora opened up on Ortega, and the fight was stopped at 2:38.

Tepora is now 22-0 with 17 knockouts.  Ortega is now 26-2-1.

Carlos Canizales won the the WBA Light Flyweight title with a 12th round stoppage over Bin Lu.

Canizales dominated the fight as he peppered Lu with hard rights throughout the contest.  Canizales dropped Lu in round 11 and again at the end of round 12.  The bout was stopped at 2:59.

Canizales is 21-0-1 with 13 knockouts.  Lu is 1-1.

Moruti Mthalane won the IBF Flyweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Muhammad Waseem.

Mthalane controlled the action until he was dropped with a combination in round 11.

Mthalane won by scores of 116-110 and 114-113 to raise his mark to 36-2.  Waseem is 8-1.

Follow all the action as Lucas Matthysse defends the WBA Welterweight championship against the legendary Manny Pacquiao in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  The action starts at 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT / 9 AM in Malaysia/Philippines and 10 PM in Argentina with 3 more world title bouts that will see Jhack Tepora vs Edivaldo Ortega for the Interim WBA Featherweight title; Moruti Mthalane vs Muhammad Waseem for the IBF Featherweight title and Carlos Canizalez vs Bin Lu for the WBA Light Flyweight title

NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED; THE PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY

Round 1: Left from Pacquiao..Left to body..Right from Matthysse

Round 2 Overhand right from Matthysse..Good jab..double jab/straight left from Pacquiao..Right hook..Jab from Matthysse

Round 3 UPPERCUT AND DOWN GOES MATTHYSSE…Hard straight left..

Round 4  Uppercut and left from Pacquiao..jab from Matthysse..Double jab from Pacquiao..Body shot from Matthysse…

Round 5 Right hook from Pacquiao…Left hook from Matthysse..Body shot from Pacquiao..Combination from Matthysse…SHOT TO TOP OF HEAD AND MATTHYSSE TAKE A KNEE

Round 6 Matthysse hits Pacquiao with a low blow..Hard left uppercut from Pacquiao..Right hook and body shot..Uppercut from Pacquiao…right hook/left hand…

Round 7 Lead left from Pacquiao..UPPERCUT AND DOWN GOES MATTHYSSE..FIGHT S OVER

Round 1 Winginh shots..Left to body from Tepora…Right from Ortega

Round 2 Uppercut from Tepora..Left from Ortega..Left from Tepora..1-2 to the body..Right hook from Ortega..

Round 3 Body shot from Tepora..Body

Round 4 Left to body from Tepora..

Round 5 Jabs from Tepora

Round 6  Hard left from Tepora.

Round 7 …2 lefts from Ortega

Round 8 Body shot from Tepora..

Round 9 HARD UPPERCUT AND DOWN GOES ORTEGA…HARD RIGHTS AND LEFT..BIG COMBINATION AND THE FIGHT IS OVER

Round 7: Nice right from Mthalane..Counter right

Round 9: Mthlane lands a right..Nice counter right

Round 10 Both land right hands…counter from Mthalane…Right..Right at the bell

Round 11 Waseem cut over the left eye..Left From Mthalane..HARD COMBINATION…DOWN GOES MTHALANE

Round 12 Left from from Mthalane…Jab…Good exchenge..Hard right from Mthalane..Left from Waseem

114-113 twice and 116-110 for MTHLANE

Round 1 Canizales lands a right..Left..Body..Left to body

Round 2 Right from Canizales…Right..Right

Round 3 Counter left and right from Canizales..Good body shot..Trading uppercut..Left from Lu

Round 4 Combination from Lu..Left to body from Canizales..

Round 5 Body and from Lu…Counter right from Canizales.Right..Straight left from Lu..Right from Canizales..Combination from Lu

Round 6:  Round to body from Canizales..1-2..Left to body..Combination

Round 7 Straight left from Canizales

Round 8 Good combination from Lu..Straight left..2 rights from Canizales..Good exchange..

Round 9 Hard right from Canizales…Hard right..3 punch combination..Hard right rocks Lu..

Round 10  Hard right from Canizales

Round 11:  Canizales lands a hard right..He is hurting Lu..Left and Right DOWN GOES LU

Round 12:  Big right hurts Lue..3 more rights and a jab...HUGE RIGHT AND DOWN GOES LU…FIGHT IS STOPPED

https://www.facebook.com/gmanews/videos/10156668063841977/?t=5

HAZARDS OF THE JOB. WBA welterweight challenger Manny Pacquiao is so
anxious to get into the ring on Sunday, July 15 (July 14 in the US)
against champion Lucas Matthysse of Argentina that a little flick of
his fist went a little, too much. That punch actually hurt trainer
Buboy Fernandez during mitts sessions at the Le Meridien Hotel boxing
gym. Fernandez ended up with a chipped tooth. On Saturday, Pacquiao
and Matthysse will tip the scales at the Malaysia International Trade
and Exhibition Center.
MITEC is located at 8 Jalan Dutamas 2, Kompleks Kerajaan.

Pacquiao Expected to Easily Hurdle Today’s Weigh-in Ahead of Matthysse

KUALA LUMPUR–Manny Pacquiao is expected to easily hurdle today’s
weigh-in ahead of WBA champion Lucas Matthysse at the Malaysia
International Trade and Exhibition Center (MITEC) Saturday (July 14)
morning here.

Weigh-in starts at 8 A.M. and will be free to the public. “Fight of
Champions,” the biggest boxing event ever to be shown in Malaysia in
the last four decades, will have 10 more additional bouts in the
undercard three of which are for world titles.

Pacquiao has been one of the smallest welterweight champions in
history and has been tipping the scales three or four pounds lighter
than the 147-pound (66.68 Kg.) limit since he first fought in the
division 10 years ago.

Matthysse, the sledgehammer-fisted Argentine who has won 36 of his 39
victories by knockout (against 4 losses), will be fighting only for
the third time as a welterweight after winning the WBA crown early
this year.

For the 10th time, Kenny Bayless will be the referee starring
Pacquiao. Bayless, 68, first officiated the second meeting between the
Filipino and the legendary Erik Morales in 2006.

Derek Milham of Queensland, Australia will join 74-year-old Stanley
Christodoulou of Johannesburg, South Africa and Glenn Feldman of
Connecticut, USA in scoring the match should it last the full 12
rounds.

The “Golden Boy,” himself, Oscar Dela Hoya, will be on hand for the
weigh-in of Matthysse, a boxer promoted by Golden Boy Promotions.

Unbeaten Jhack Tepora of Cebu City, Philippines, (21-0, 16 KOs) will
vie for the vacant World Boxing Association featherweight title
against Edivaldo “Indio” Ortega (26-1-1, 12 KOs) of Tijuana, Mexico in
the main supporting bout.

Carlos “CCC” Canizales of Venezuela (20-0-1, 16 KOs) will try to
prevent Lu Bin of China from becoming only the first boxer in history
to win a world title on his second bout. They will fight for
Canizales’ WBA light flyweight belt.

Veteran Moruti Mthalane of South Africa and Muhammad Waseem of
Pakistan will lock horns for the vacant International Boxing
Federation (IBF) flyweight title–the last of the four exciting world
championships offered by MP Promotions headed by Pacquiao, himself.

The explosive card will open with Thailand’s Ratchanon Sawangsoda
(12-2, 12 KOs) facing Juan Miguel “The Boss” Elorde, grandson of the
great Filipino “Flash” Elorde in a six-round junior featherweight
match.

Malaysia’s local hero Theena Thayalan (5-0, 2 KOs) will battle
Siddarth Ravindra Varma of India (4-1, 1 KO) in the second bout.

Right after the Pacquiao Vs Matthysse battle, five more exciting
matches spice up the star-studded event that is expected to be beamed
to 200 territories throughout the world including Japan’s Yuuki
Kobayashi (17-1, 8 KOs) battling flyweight Vincent Astrolabio of the
Philippines (10-1, 7 KOs) over 8 rounds.

Other matches include Australia’s shining lightweight George Kambosos
Jr. (14-0, 8 KOs) against Jay Ar Magboo, (17-1, 8 KOs); Eleftherios
Tzouramanis (19-3-3, 3 KOs) fighting Jayar Inson of the Philippines
(15-1, 10 KOs); Youngquiang Yang (10-0, 7 KOs) of China facing
Harmonito Dela Torre (19-1, 12 KOs); and Abdi of Indonesia (5-2, 2
KOs) facing Aiman Abu Bakar of Malaysia (7-0, 3 KOs).

(Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Center (MITEC) is located
at 8 Jalan Dutamas 2, Kompleks Kerajaan.)

Pacquaio, fighting for the first time after losing a controversial
bout with Australian bruiser Jeff Horn last year, looked calm and
happy with the way his preparations have transpired thus far.

The 39-year-old legend of boxing feels rejuvenated. He hopes to win an
unprecedented 11th world title in his 23rd year of boxing come July 15
(July 14 in the US) at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur.

Standing in his way is “The Machine” Matthysse, who is leaving no
stone unturned in his own bid of retiring Pacquiao at all cost, even
hinting of giving up his own life in trying to defend the crown he won
early this year.

Pacquiao sparred for two rounds with compatriot Jheritz Chavez and
another three with unbeaten Australian lightweight George Kambosos
Jr., as training sessions started to taper down.

In stark contrast, Matthysse’s corner is showing a different route of
training as they closed out sparring sessions also on Saturday.
Trainer Joel Diaz was satisfied with his ward’s condition and speed
and was convinced his fighter is ready to fight at any moment now.

Matthysse and his team planed in two nights ago from Los Angeles,
California in hopes of acclimatizing early in his bid to retain his
welterweight belt against the only eight-weight division boxing
champion Pacquiao.

But Pacquiao’s think-tank remain unfazed. Chief trainer Buboy
Fernandez thinks his boyhood friend has done enough in training to
dethrone Matthysse.

“He (Pacquiao), himself, said that he is happy with how training camp
is about to end. He is happy with the coaching staff’s cohesion and
cooperation. Even (Australian) coach Justin (Fortune), his cooperation
being the strength and conditioning coach has rubbed off good vibes
within the camp,” said Fernandez.

Pacquiao is gunning for his 60th victory. He has lost seven time and
drew twice (38 KOs) in his storied career. Retiring is far from
Pacquiao’s mind as he showed moves which he has employed against a
bevy of opponents in the past, when he was a lanky flyweight moving up
to the ranks of bantamweights and even as high as a super
welterweight.

(JULY 7, 2018) ? The next chapter in the storied career of former eight-division world champion and future first-ballot Hall of Famer, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, will stream live and exclusively in the United States on Saturday, July 14 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN+ — the recently-launched multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN. This will be Pacquiao’s first fight since headlining cable television’s highest-rated and most-watched boxing telecast since 2006, when he fought Jeff Horn in July of 2017 on ESPN.

Pacquiao will challenge Lucas “La Maquina” Matthysse for the WBA welterweight title at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In addition, in the world championship co-feature, Filipino power puncher Jhack Tepora (21-0, 16 KOs) will face Edivaldo “Indio” Ortega (26-1-1, 12 KOs) for the vacant WBA featherweight title. Pacquiao and Matthysse are expected to enter the ring at roughly 11:30 p.m. ET. ESPN+ is available to all fans on the ESPN App and ESPN.com.

Pacquiao-Matthysse will cap a full day of boxing on the ESPN family of networks, as Regis “Rougarou” Prograis will defend the WBC Diamond super lightweight title against Juan Jose Velasco, and lightweight sensation Teofimo Lopez will face William Silva, live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 7 p.m. ET and via streaming on the ESPN App from the Lakefront Arena in New Orleans. Undercard action from New Orleans will stream live on ESPN+ starting at 4:30 p.m. ET.

“I am very happy that all of my fans in America will have a chance to watch my next fight on ESPN+, and I am looking forward to putting on a show,” Pacquiao said. “Matthysse is a great opponent. I am training with all of my heart because I want to be champion again.”

“This extraordinary event only affirms ESPN’s commitment to providing boxing fans with the biggest and best fights in the sport,” said Bob Arum, Top Rank’s founder and CEO. “Manny Pacquiao is one of the greatest champions in boxing history, and his fight against Matthysse promises to be a sensational one.”

“This matchup is a perfect example of the world-class caliber of events we envisioned for ESPN+ when we announced our agreement with Top Rank,” said Burke Magnus, ESPN Executive Vice President of Programming and Scheduling. “Pacquiao vs. Matthysse, which will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+, shows the commitment we have to delivering fans the best of boxing year-round on our direct-to-consumer platform.”
Pacquiao (59-7-2, 38 KOs), the living legend from General Santos City, Philippines, will look to score his first knockout victory since 2009. Before losing the WBO welterweight world championship to Jeff Horn via controversial unanimous decision last July, Pacquiao recaptured the title on November 5, 2016 by defeating then-champion Jessie Vargas at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. In a career that has spanned more than two decades, Pacquiao has victories against legendary fighters like Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto, Juan Manuel Marquez, Shane Mosley, Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Ricky Hatton.

Matthysse (39-4, 36 KOs) won the vacant WBA welterweight title Jan. 27 in Los Angeles with an eighth-round knockout over Thailand’s Tewa Kiram. One of boxing’s best punchers, pound-for-pound, he is an all-action brawler who has participated in multiple Fight of the Year contenders, including an 11th-round knockout win over John Molina in 2014 and a 12-round majority decision victory over Ruslan Provodnikov in 2015. Matthysse has won two straight since a 10th-round knockout loss to then-undefeated Viktor Postol on Oct. 3, 2015.

Upcoming exclusive boxing on ESPN+ includes the July 28 battle for the vacant World Boxing Organization 130-pound title as Puerto Rican Star Christopher Diaz faces Masayuki Ito at the Kissimmee Civic Center. Diaz-Ito will stream live and exclusively in the United States at 9:30 p.m. ET with undercard action starting at 6:30 p.m. ET.

For more information visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/espndeportes; Twitter:twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, @ESPN @ESPNBoxeo,@ESPNDeportes. Use the hashtag #PacquiaoMatthysse to join the conversation on social media.

About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the first-ever multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN. It offers fans thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks.

The ESPN+ lineup includes 18 exclusive, live Top Rank events per year, dozens of fights from other Top Rank undercards, an unmatched library of the greatest fights in boxing history, and two exclusive, original boxing programs: The Boxing Beat with Dan Rafael (Tuesdays) and In This Corner (twice monthly).

It also features hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, Grand Slam tennis, PGA TOUR golf, college sports, international rugby, cricket, the full library of ESPN Films (including 30 for 30) and more. Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.

ESPN+ is an integrated part of the completely redesigned ESPN App. Already the leading sports app, the new ESPN App is the premier all-in-one digital sports platform for fans and is a showcase of the company’s culture of innovation. With a richer, increasingly more personalized experience, the new ESPN App curates all of ESPN’s incredible content into an experience unique to each fan’s individual tastes. ESPN+ is also available through ESPN.com.

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.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, all financial requirements have been satisfied for the July 14 (In the US–July 15 in Malaysia) for the Manny Pacquiao – Lucas Matthysse fight to go forward.

“The fight’s a go. There were some bumps in the road but everything is now in order and we’re excited. It’s a great opportunity for Lucas,” said Matthysse Promoter Eric Gomez of Golden Boy Promotions said. “This is his dream fight. It’s the fight he’s been talking about for five years now. Anytime you can fight a legend like Manny Pacquiao it’s a win.

“The money is in place. The money was supposed to be in an escrow account in the U.S. and now everything is good. It’s customary practice when you are fighting overseas to have the money in an escrow account and now the money is there. We’re excited to be working with Manny and his company, MP Promotions, and commend him for putting this fight together and making sure it comes off.”

“I didn’t really pay attention to it, but I saw the headlines (of the fight being in jeopardy),” Matthysse told ESPN, through a translator, about the money issues. “I read a little bit about it, but I just kept training with the same desire I always have. I knew the fight would happen so I didn’t really pay attention to what was going on. I feel good and I am happy to be heading out there to Malaysia to defend my title.”

Bob Arum of Top Rank, who is handling the American distribution of the fight said, “That money paid last week to Top Rank, anywhere between $350,000 and $500,000,” he said. “We then immediately [went] to contract with Manny’s company, which would enable the fight to push forward in the U.S. for the telecast.”

“Our card in New Orleans will be over by 9 p.m. ET and ESPN could go with Manny’s undercard like it would be a normal telecast at that time and make it a night of boxing,” Arum said.

BOXING LEGEND Manny Pacquiao is gunning for one of four world titles
at stake against WBA champion Lucas Matthysse in the “Fight of
Champions” roadshow that promises to electrify the Axiata Arena on
July 15 from start to finish.

Playing the unlikely role as challenger in an inspired bid to win an
unprecedented 11th world title, the only eight-weight division boxing
champion Pacquiao (59-7-2, 36 KOs), is training to dethrone the
dangerous Matthysse of Argentina (39-4, 36 KOs).

The World Boxing Association has recently ordered for Jhack Tepora of
the Philippines (21-0, 16 KOs) to fight Edivaldo “Indio” Ortega of
Mexico (26-1-1, 12 KOs), for the vacant “regular” WBA featherweight
title.

Tepora, the explosive 25-year-old Cebu native, will get his hands full
against the 28-year-old Ortega of Tijuana, Mexico. Tepora is looking
to deny Ortega the pleasure of beating another Filipino in his quest
for the world title. Ortega has beaten Drian Francisco in his last
fight.

This will be Ortega’s first match outside Mexico and his major title
shot. Tepora, who has previously won minor titles, is just too eager
to show his wares in a larger stage as he has scored knockouts in his
last five outings.

“Fight of Champions,” which has a total of 11 fights, will be beamed
live throughout the world. MP Promotions, the promotional company put
up by Pacquiao to give back to boxing, loaded up the card with boxers
raring to showcase talent and potential.

Pacquiao did not scrimp on assembling the best boxers from around the
world and offer it to Malaysian fight fans as China is looking to
break an elusive boxing record. Lu Bin (1-0), the talented Jinan,
China boxer with a sterling amateur career, has been given the title
shot by the WBA to face light flyweight champion Carlos “CCC”
Canizales of Venezuela.

Should Lu Bin upset the heavy-handed Canizales, (20-0-1, 16-KOs), he
will become only the first boxer in history to become world champion
in his second fight.

Moruti Mthalane of South Africa, the 35-year-old veteran (35-2, 24
KOs), is unbeaten in his last 12 fights since losing to Nonito Donaire
Jr. in November 2008. Mthalane will square off with Pakistan’s
legendary amateur Muhammad Waseem, (8-0, 6 KOs) for the International
Boxing Federation flyweight crown.

Waseem has had a run of victories for more than seven years as an
amateur. He is a two-year pro who has won his last three fights by
knockout and successfully defended once the WBC silver flyweight title
in 2016.

Two Australians will be in the undercards. Pacquiao, who has lost to
Australian Jeff Horn in a controversial match, has invited his
Australian sparring mate George Kambosos Jr. (14-0, 8 KOs), to fight
Filipino JR Magboo (17-1, 8 KOs). They battle over 8 rounds at
lightweight.

Another Filipino world title hopeful, Jayar Inson of Davao will face
Terry Tzouramanis of Australia in another eight-round welterweight
match.

Malaysia’s welterweight phenom Theena Thalayan (5-0, 2 KOs), will
battle India’s Siddharth Varma (4-1, 1 KO) in a six-round battle while
Kuala Lumpur native Ailman Abu Bakar (7-0, 3 KOs) battles Indonesian
Abdi (5-2, 2 KOs) for four rounds in the 126-pound division.

Harmonito dela Torre of General Santos City, Philippines, (19-1, 12
KOs) will have his hands full against an unpredictable and unbeaten
Chinese talent, Yongqiang Yang (10-0, 7 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight
clash.

Other Filipinos seeing action include bantamweight Vincent Astrolabio
(10-1, 7 KOs) fighting Yuuki Kobayashi of Japan (13-7, 7 KOs) and Juan
Miguel Elorde (25-1, 13 KOs) facing Ratchanon Sawangsoda of Thailand
(12-2, 12 KOs).

GENERAL SANTOS CITY–Ring warriors Manny Pacquiao and Lucas Matthysse
stepped up their respective training sessions a notch higher as
preparations for “Fight of Champions” entered its hardest stages this
week.

Pacquiao is all business these days as he is focusing on the most
challenging fight of his career. He sparred for 10 rounds Thursday
afternoon and gave out a big smile to his supporters, saying, “it’s
good to be back.”

So inspired is Pacquiao that he is concentrating on just winning the
fight that he wants most. He delegated management of MP Promotions,
the lead promoter of his July 15 (July 14 in the US) battle at the
Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to his trusted lieutenants.

Matthysse, the welterweight champion who vowed to defend with his life
and bring back to his country Argentina the WBA crown that he won
early this year, is also as determined to retire the only
eight-division and 10-time champion in boxing history.

Pacquiao’s sparring will reach the full 12 rounds next week even as
Matthysse’s trainer Joel Diaz has laid out an elaborate game-plan to
score a win for his dangerous pupil, a boxer who has knocked out 36 of
the 39 opponents he has faced in the past.

“As far as I am concerned, everything is fine,” said Pacquiao,
responding to rumors that the fight is headed to a postponement or
even cancellation. “Lucas Matthysse and I are getting ready to give
the fans their money’s worth and July 15 will be huge for boxing in
Malaysia.”

Pacquiao assigned a team to take care of business and logistics as he
concentrated in training alone.

Marketing and sales head Arnold Vegafria echoed Pacquiao’s sentiments.
Vegafria, who was monitoring news online on a plane heading back to
the Philippines from New York City, said that all concerned decision
makers were in agreement with each other.

“Everyone is on board. Everyone understands the situation and the
fight is going as planned,” said Vegafria.

Aside from the Pacquiao Vs Matthysse championship, three more world
title fights are in store for hardcore boxing fans including the World
Boxing Association featherweight bout between Edivaldo Ortega of
Mexico, (26-1-1, 12 KOs) and Jhack Tepora of the Philippines (21-0, 16
KOs).

Chinese amateur sensation and Olympian Lu Bin will challenge Carlos
Canizales of Venezuela, the WBA light flyweight champion (20-0-1).
Another world championship pits IBF flyweight title holder Moruti
Mthalane of South Africa and Muhammad Waseem of Pakistan.

New York, NY (June 21, 2018) Undefeated world-ranked lightweight contender
“Ferocious” George Kambosos Jr. (14-0, 8 KOs), of Sydney, Australia, will return to battle in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Sunday, July 15 (Sat. July 14 in the United States) in a 10-round clash against JR “Star Boy” Magboo (17-1-2, 8 KOs), of Batangas, Philippines, it was announced today by DiBella Entertainment.

“I’m thrilled and very excited to get back in the ring on Manny Pacquiao’s undercard,” said the 25-year-old Kambosos. “Manny and I have had some excellent training sessions for this camp and I can’t wait to fight in Kuala Lumpur. I know that Magboo has lost only once, but I’ll be well prepared after training with Manny to be victorious.”

“I would like to thank Manny Pacquiao for giving George Kambosos this great opportunity to fight on his undercard in Malaysia,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “All of us at DiBella Entertainment believe that Kambosos is a star with the potential to become a champion. This is a great opportunity for him to showcase his talent on the undercard of a future hall-of-famer and a legend.”

Kambosos vs. Magboo will take place at Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on the undercard of the WBA welterweight world title bout between boxing legend and challenger Manny Pacquiao and champion Lucas Matthysse.

Currently ranked #11 by the World Boxing Organization and #14 by the International Boxing Federation, the all-action Kambosos made his triumphant United States debut on May 5, with a stunning first-round knockout of Jose Forero at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT.

For the last few weeks, Kambosos has trained and sparred alongside Pacquiao as he prepares to win another welterweight world title. Trained by former heavyweight contender Justin Fortune, Kambosos also worked with Pacquiao in Los Angeles last summer in preparation for the Filipino’s clash with Jeff Horn.

A sports star in his native Australia, Kambosos stopped Krai Setthaphone in the ninth round on October 13, 2017, in front of a huge crowd headlining at the Melbourne Pavilion in Victoria, Australia.

Most recently, Magboo stopped Prell Tupas in the first round on May 13, in Marilao, Philippines.

Social Media/Kambosos
Twitter: @GeorgeKambosos
Facebook: George.Kambosos
Instagram: GeorgeKambososJr

COVERAGE to the “Fight of Champions” mega-showdown between belt holder
Lucas Matthysse and challenger Manny Pacquiao is already pegged at 170
countries and is fast shaping up to become a blockbuster of an event
dubbed as the World Cup of Boxing.

From Asia to South America, to Europe and Africa, to the Middle East,
Asia Pacifica, Oceania and the Far East and the Caribbean, fans all
over the world will be treated to a whole day of sports festivities on
July 15 starting in the morning and throughout the afternoon.

The Pacquiao Vs Matthysse event will be beamed live at 12 noon from
the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur (around 8 PM, July 14 in the US and
Mexico) via satellite.

With World Cup fever undeniably in the minds of many, boxing also has
its version of the World Cup, with the Philippines and Argentina vying
for the World Boxing Association welterweight belt in the main event
featuring the legendary Pacquiao and Matthysse.

Other championship bouts presented by promoter Manny Pacquiao of MP
Promotions include the WBA world title matches between Venezuela and
China, (Carlos Canizales Vs Lu Bin for the WBA light flyweight belt),
as well as South Africa (Moruti Mthalane) against Pakistan (Muhammad
Waseem) for the International Boxing Federation flyweight crown.

In the main supporting bout, it will be Mexico against the Philippines
as the WBA, through president Gilberto Mendoza Jr. and ratings
chairman Jose Oliver, has just sanctioned the fight between Mexican
Edivaldo Ortega (26-1-1) and Jhack Tepora (21-0, 16 KOs) of the
Philippines for the WBA featherweight title.

Host Malaysia will feature its best fighters Muhammad Farkhan, Theena
Thayalan and Alman Abu Baker battling fighters from Thailand and 2
Indian boxers, respectively, in the undercards stacked deep by the
organizers, who are trying to impress a worldwide audience.

Other countries represented in the event include Australia and Japan.

LONDON (8 June, 2018) – One of this summer’s biggest battles will take place live and exclusive on BoxNation when the legendary Manny Pacquiao steps up to face Argentine knockout sensation Lucas Matthysse for his WBA welterweight world title.

Taking place at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur on July 14th, eight-division world champion Pacquiao will be looking to bounce back in style following his shock defeat to Australian ace Jeff Horn.

However, in Matthysse he faces one of boxing’s most formidable punchers, who, with a record of 36 knockouts in 39 wins, always comes with bad intentions.

He displayed that in his latest win when he stopped the previously undefeated Tewa Kiram in the eighth round to win the vacant WBA welterweight world title.

Both men are two of the most exciting, all-action fighters around, with fireworks guaranteed when they meet in the ring next month in their 12-round contest.

“[Matthysse] is a very aggressive fighter. I am not worried about his style. My worry is I need to get 100 per cent conditioned – the stamina, the power and the strength to survive the 12 rounds,” Pacquiao said.

“You will see a young Manny Pacquiao throwing a lot of punches, and more footwork, head movements, side by side [motions] – that’s my goal to achieve for this fight. It’s going to be a great night,” he said.

35-year-old Matthysse can’t wait to get into the ring and has promised BoxNation fight fans that he will make sure Pacquiao is given no respite.

“We’re focused very much on this fight, and people will see the same Lucas Matthysse as always, the one who always looks for the action. It’s a fight that I like because of our similar styles and because we are of the same height,” Matthysse said.

“I expect the same Manny Pacquiao as always. He is a respectable champion, but I’m a champion as well. I’ve been fighting for a long time. I know he has a lot of experience as well.

“It will be a great fight, and I expect to see the same Manny Pacquiao I watched on television. Now I’m going to see him in the ring. This is something very big for me and my career,” he said.

Jim McMunn, BoxNation Managing Director, said: “Manny Pacquiao v Lucas Matthysse without doubt has the makings for a very special and exciting fight. These are two fighters who like to come forward, press the action and can really punch. BoxNation subscribers will be in for a real treat when these two meet live and exclusive on July 14th.”

BoxNation is available on Sky/Freeview/Virgin/TalkTalk/EE/Apple TV/ online at watch.boxnation.com, via apps (iOS, Android, Amazon) and TV Player for just £12 a month. Buy now at boxnation.com.

– ENDS –

About BoxNation

BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated boxing channel. From £12* per month with no minimum term customers can enjoy great value live and exclusive fights, classic fight footage, magazine shows and interviews with current and former fighters.

Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Mayweather vs Maidana, Saunders vs Eubank Jr and Canelo vs Golovkin.

The channel is available on Sky (Ch.427), Freeview (Ch.255), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.415), TV Player, online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (ios, Android, Amazon, Apple TV). BoxNation is also available in high definition on Sky (Ch. 490), at no extra cost to Sky TV subscribers, providing they are already HD enabled.

Available on selected internet-connected Freeview products only, subject to coverage. Visit freeview.co.uk/availability.

BoxNation is also available to commercial premises (inc. pubs, clubs and casino’s) in the UK and Ireland, for more information on a commercial subscription please call 0844 842 7700.

FIGHT tickets to the highly anticipated July 14 title fight between
champion Lucas Matthysse and Manny Pacquiao went on sale yesterday at
the famous Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur.

The Axiata Arena’s ticketing office went online with myticket.asia or
through direct link
.
For other inquiries, parties can contact the Axiata offices: +603
8605-0195.

The Axiata Arena ticketing office has been receiving a lot of
inquiries regarding ticket sales since April when Pacquiao and
Matthysse announced their fight in press conferences in Manila and
Kuala Lumpur. As of press time yesterday, a large number of tickets
have already been sold.

Ticket prices are pegged at $5,000, $2,000, $1,000, $500, $350, $250
and $125. Corporate box rooms are also available.

The most exciting boxing event in the last four decades unfolds in
Malaysia featuring four world championships, including Pacquiao’s bid
to win the World Boxing Association’s welterweight crown against
Matthysse, the dangerous Argentine champion.

The 16,000-seat venue is expected to be sold out as MP Promotions
Kuala Lumpur (MPKL) has assembled an all-star cast of fighters from
all over the world, from China to India, to South Africa, Mexico among
others.

The long wait for the ticket release was timed well in order for the
fans to avail of huge discounts. The new Malaysian government of Tun
Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad, the recently-elected Prime Minister,
eliminated the old GST or the goods and service tax. The six percent
(6%) GST was previously implemented on goods and services.

Pacquiao, the only eight-division and 10-time world boxing champion,
is also the promoter of this fight with his MPKL company trying to
equal, if not surpass the greatest boxing event in this country since
Muhammad Ali and Joe Bugner fought in 1975.

“This is what we have been waiting for. Let’s get on with the fights,”
said Pacquiao, who has already logged in more than 20 rounds of
sparring.

Aside from the Pacquiao Vs Matthysse championship, three other title
fights will heat up the event. Edivaldo “Indio” Ortega of Mexico,
26-1-1 (12 KOs) locks horns with unbeaten Cebu City pride and Filipino
Jhack Tepora,21-0, (16 KOs)in a world featherweight championship.

Carlos Canizales of Venezuela, the unbeaten light flyweight champion
with a 20-0-1 (16 KOs) record will stake his crown against Chinese
sensation Lu Bin, an amateur standout with a sterling amateur career.

Veteran Moruti Mthalane of South Africa, 35-2 (24 KOs) will battle it
out with Muhammad Waseem of Pakistan, 8-0 (6 KOs) for the IBF
flyweight crown.

INDIO, CALIF. (May 23, 2018): Argentine knockout artist Lucas “La Maquina” Matthysse (39-4, 36 KOs) discussed his training camp routine ahead of his super fight against future Hall of Famer Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (59-7-2, 38 KOs) in a scheduled 12-round welterweight clash. The fight, which will be for Matthysse’s WBA Welterweight World Title, will take place Sunday, July 15 at Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The 35-year-old champion is now entering the first stages of sparring at the Boys and Girls Club in Indio, California, with head trainers Joel and Antonio Diaz. This team of brothers oversee a training camp that includes other fighters from the exclusive Golden Boy Promotions stable, including Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas, Diego De La Hoya, Marcelino “Nino” Lopez, Vergil Ortiz Jr., Christian “Chimpa” Gonzalez and Oscar Duarte. Mario Narvaez, who is the brother of former two-division world champion Omar “El Huracan” Narvaez, also forms an important part of the Matthysse team, while Federico Wittenkamp is in charge of his strength and conditioning training. For the native of Trelew, Chubut, Argentina, this is not an ordinary training camp as his career will be defined by the result of this highly anticipated fight.

Matthysse’s training camp schedule consists of:
Strength and conditioning with Federico Wittenkamp at 8:00 a.m.
Training in the gym at 3:30 p.m.
Sparring sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
Mitts, strategy and boxing routine on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Matthysse had the following to say regarding his break from boxing, his training camp, and his fight against Pacquiao:

“I have been training in the United States for about a month already after having trained for two months in Argentina. I still have about a month and a half left, and I’m preparing very well. We’re focused very much on this fight, and people will see the same Lucas Matthysse as always, the one who always looks for the action. It’s a fight that I like because of our similar styles and because we are of the same height.

“After my last loss against Viktor Postol, I decided to take a break of about nine months where I would do nothing but enjoy my time with my family. I would fish, ride my motorcycle, be at home or spend time with my friends. I needed the time to forget about boxing and recharge my batteries so I could start again fresh with my training.

“I’ve been a professional for several years. I’ve fought with good fighters, and I got a lot of experience in Argentina and the United States. Training with Joel Diaz now is something that’s really good for me. After having lost to Postol, I wanted to return, but I didn’t know where and how. I had known Joel Diaz for some time already, so I decided to start my career again with him in the United States.

“I expect the same Manny Pacquiao as always. He is a respectable champion, but I’m a champion as well. I’ve been fighting for a long time. I know he has a lot of experience as well. It will be a great fight, and I expect to see the same Manny Pacquiao I watched on television. Now I’m going to see him in the ring. This is something very big for me and my career.”

Pacquiao vs. Matthysse is a 12-round fight for the WBA Welterweight World Championship presented by Manny Pacquiao Promotions in association with Golden Boy Promotions and Arano Box. The fight will take place Sunday, July 15, 2018 at Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The event will air live in the United States on Saturday, July 14, 2018. Tickets for this event will be announced shortly.

Photos and videos are available to download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link: http://bit.ly/PacquiaoMatthysse into a browser. Credit must be given to Golden Boy Promotions for photos and videos used.

For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing. Visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing. Follow the conversation using #PacquiaoMatthysse

MANILA–With the arrival of strength and conditioning coach Justine
Fortune Friday, Manny Pacquiao’s training shifted to higher gear as he
prepares for the all-important fight of his life opposite WBA champion
Lucas Matthysse on July 15.

Pacquiao, also the promoter of the mega-fight, dispelled rumors that
there might even be a possibility of a postponement of this battle
which he is treating with utmost concern and pride.

“We are shifting our training to higher gear now with less than two
months before the fight,” said Pacquiao, who like Matthysse, is deep
in training for their monumental clash at the posh Axiata Arena in
Kuala Lumpur.

Dubbed as “Fight of Champions,” the Pacquiao Vs Matthysse clash hopes
to equal, if not surpass the “Fight of a Lifetime” duel between
Mumammad Ali and Joe Bugner in Malaysia in 1975.

“That is malicious and untrue,” said Pacquiao, referring to published
reports that his inaugural promotional show under his MP Promotions
banner will be postponed. Calling the persons involved as “saboteurs,”
Pacquiao, the fighter, said he is very serious about winning this
fight as he knows that Matthysse is also hoping to retire him from
boxing.

“Ironically, I would like to thank these rumor-mongers for the extra
publicity that they are contributing to make this fight such a huge
success. I am turning this negative news into something good because
no news is actually bad news,” added Pacquiao.

Additionally, Matthysse’s Arano Box organization and Golden Boy
Promotions have concurred with Pacquiao.

“Given the wrong versions of the postponement of Pacquiao-Matthysse,
such as the news that we retweeted, Arano Box clarifies that the fight
has no problem and the date remains unchanged,” said Matthysse’s
manager Mario Arano on Tweeter, after Argentine TV network TyC Sports
reported that the fight was headed towards postponement. The news was
picked up by several other websites who are keenly keeping tabs of
everything that is related to the fight.

TyC Sports, the Spanish channel of Argentina, claimed that there were
disagreements between the promoters and the Kuala Lumpur organization,
a fact that doesn’t exist, according to Pacquiao.

Likewise, Havas Sports & Entertainment, a division of Havas Media Asia
Pacific, has been appointed as the International Media Rights and
Commercial Partner by fight promoters MP Promotions and Events for the
highly anticipated ‘Fight.’

The deal covers worldwide distribution across the Asia Pacific,
Europe, Latin America and Africa and includes media rights across all
platforms and devices including television, broadband, mobile, radio
and in-flight rights. All inquiries and expressions of commercial
interest should be sent to fight.champions@havasmedia.com.

FORMER General Santos City native Nonito Donaire Sr. was tapped to
lend his expertise and beef up Manny Pacquiao’s think-tank in
preparation for the Filipino’s title bid against Lucas Matthysse on
July 15 at the Axiata Arena in Malaysia.

A week after opening training camp, Pacquiao added Donaire to help out
in plotting tactical plans against Matthysse, the reigning WBA
welterweight champion from Argentina.

“Donaire will serve as one of the assistant coaches,” said Pacquiao,
who did two trial rounds with the mitts with the father of former
world champion Nonito Donaire (Junior). It was Donaire Sr. who trained
and honed his son, who later won multiple former world championships
in three weight divisions.

“So far, so good. I am happy with my current team,” said Pacquiao, who
took two days off on Saturday and Sunday to rest and relax, coming off
a controversial loss last year in Australia against local brawler Jeff
Horn.

Pacquiao went scuba diving Sunday and was refreshed to do his road
work the morning after.

Pacquiao is trying to have an all-Filipino line-up in his bid to win
his 11th world title against a formidable opponent who has knocked out
36 of his 39 wins or a whopping 92 percent ratio. Matthysse has only
lost four times in his career.

Another former Philippine national team coach based in the US was
scheduled to join Pacquiao’s coaching staff should he pass the
standards set by the Filipino champion.

Long time friend and confidant Buboy Fernandez would still act as head
coach along with assistant trainer Raides “Nonoy” Neri.

Pacquiao is still about to name another team member soon, the person
who will help him in his strength and conditioning, to complete the
cast.

GENERAL SANTOS CITY—An inspired Manny Pacquiao started training in hopes of winning an unprecedented 11th world title against WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse of Argentina at the Wild Card gym here.

After building enough stamina from his cardio workouts earlier in the week, Pacquiao reunited with long-time friends and trainers Buboy Fernandez and Raides “Nonoy” Neri and started slow, doing his regular gym drills and plotting pre-fight strategies.

The Pacquiao Vs Matthysse fight dubbed “Fight of Champions,” is two and a half months away and is set at the glitzy Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur on July 14, US time. “I am excited to return to the ring once again and face a dangerous champion in a difficult and challenging fight,” said Pacquiao, the only eight-weight division champion in boxing.

“I am inspired as I am also excited to face the champion,” added Pacquiao, noting that Matthysse packs power on both fists having won 36 of his 39 wins by knockout.

Pacquiao, the 39-year-old challenger, did mitts work with Fernandez, his boyhood neighbor and trusted lieutenant throughout his career. Both started slow and hoped to pick up steam in the middle stages of training camp. In his familiar workout, Pacquiao pounded the heavy bags and finished with his usual abs work routine.

Also a senator of the Philippines, Pacquiao is taking full use of the senate recess to train without distractions before resuming work on May 14 to June 1 when the Philippine Senate reconvenes. Then, Pacquiao gets his final push for the whole month of June up until fight day, July 15 in Kuala Lumpur.

Pacquiao is also the promoter of this boxing extravaganza which promises to be the biggest boxing event in Malaysia in the last 43 years since Muhammad Ali faced Joe Bugner, also in Kuala Lumpur.

Aside from the Pacquiao-Matthysse headliner, three other world title fights are in store in the undercards as well as other intriguing supporting bouts being assembled by Pacquiao’s MP Promotions.

Serial belt collector Bradley Skeete believes 2018 will finally be the year when he adds the major international straps to his already impressive haul.

It is a measure of the super skilled 6ft 1in welter belter’s soaring self-belief that – despite hoovering up Southern Area, English, Inter-Continental, British, Commonwealth and WBO European gongs – he remains unfulfilled.

‘I can’t knock 2017 because I boxed back-to-back in June and July and secured the Lonsdale Belt outright. But I did nothing thereafter,’ says the ‘Super’ man from Penge who returns after nine months inactivity to challenge for the vacant European (EBU) title against unbeaten Basque banger Kerman Lajarraga in Bilbao, Spain on April 28th.

‘I want so much more. Just as I was building momentum we’ve had to stick the breaks on. It’s no fault of mine. I’ve been in the gym training. It was very unfortunate that the show in February had to get binned.

‘It looked as if I’d get the world title shot at Jeff Horn over in Australia but, after terms were agreed and everything was set-up, his team decided to swerve us and picked Gary Corcoran instead.

‘No bad to Gary Corcoran- I understand it’s a business – but not getting my world shot after being so close was a real kick in the bollocks. And after watching Horn’s fight with Corcoran you understand why. My style is all wrong for Jeff Horn. I beat him every day of the week.

‘But they knew the super fight with (US superstar Terence) Crawford was coming and he’d get very well paid for that. He didn’t want to jeopardise that against me. Now he’s going to get properly served up by Crawford. ‘Bud’ will pepper him, bust him up then mow him down!

The world 147lb playground is presently among the roughest in the sport with uber talents such as Crawford, Keith Thurman and Errol Spence all parading menacingly. But, now 30, the sleek and silky south Londoner – beaten just once on a wafer-thin decision to ex world amateur champion Frankie Gavin in 28 pro starts over the past eight years – is keen to test his considerable skills in that company.

‘Look, Crawford was originally a lightweight and is yet to fight at 147. (WBC emperor) Thurman was taken very close by Danny Garcia so I’d have a chance. He’s suddenly not stopping guys since he’s moved to top class,’ assesses Skeete who is mentored by Alan Smith at the iBox gym in Bromley.

‘For me, (IBF boss) Spence is the best one. He’s got it all; can box, fight, punch. I love the way he breaks quality fighters down.

‘But it’s my dream to be involved in these big fights, to taste the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas. Ideally, given the calibre of the current champions, I could do with another year’s seasoning but if I was offered any of them tomorrow, I’d be an idiot to say ‘No’’.

Tooting born Skeete is already primely placed inside the top dozen within the WBC, IBF and WBO rankings but is yet to crack the WBA listings where pending foe Lajarraga is nestled in eighth spot, having won 24 straight with 19 wins by stoppage.

‘(Argentina’s WBA king Lucas) Matthysse is arguably the weakest link at world level – he’s perhaps A minus where Crawford, Thurman and Spence are A plus champs – so beating Lajarraga convincingly is my route to him,’ claims bad Brad.

‘If I could acquire Lajarraga’s WBA ranking as well as the European belt, that would be fantastic. Though Lucas can seriously whack, Danny Garcia showed he can be comfortably out boxed.

‘The secret is staying away from Matthysse’s power; using my brain, my physical attributes and skills to keep it long and frustrate him. Make him eat my jab. He’s definitely beatable.’

BoxNation are on air from 7.00pm on Saturday night.

“Contrary to statements which I personally did not make that are circulating in the media, I have not made my final decision who will be my head trainer for my July 14 fight with Matthysse,” Pacquiao said in the statement. “My advisor Mike Koncz has been in contact with Freddie’s people to keep them informed. I will make a final decision within the week. When that decision is made, Freddie will be the first one to be informed and then I will advise the media.”

A press release last week intimated that Roach would not be involved in the fight.

“Pacquiao will be joined by his new promotions team along with trainers Restituto ‘Buboy’ Fernandez and Raides ‘Nonoy’ Neri.”

“There was some concerns Manny had in the last fight and some statements Freddie made to the media that Manny wasn’t very pleased about.”

“Manny and I had a great run for [16] years — longer than most marriages and certainly a rarity for boxing,” Roach said. “I wouldn’t trade any of it. Inside the boxing ring and the political ring, I wish Manny nothing but the best. I would be lying if I didn’t say I wasn’t hurt that he didn’t contact me personally about his decision, but the great times we enjoyed together far outweigh that.”

MANILA–World Boxing Association welterweight champion Lucas “La
Maquina” Matthysse is set to arrive in Manila on April 18 to formally
accept the challenge of eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao at the
City of Dreams Grand Ballroom here.

Pacquiao, the challenger, expressed his elation as his MP Promotions
company has completed preparations for the two-city press conference
and media tour ending in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on April 20.

Dubbed “Fight of Champions,” the mega-fight will usher in Pacquiao’s
debut as a fight promoter at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur
featuring three other world title fights in the undercard.

“It is all systems go for the Pacquiao Vs Matthysse fight,” said
Pacquiao, who is hoping to equal if not surpass the expectations
leading to the grandiose Muhammad Ali-Joe Bugner fight which was also
held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in July 1975.

“We have assembled the biggest fight card Malaysia has been waiting
for in the last 43 years since Ali-Bugner,” added Pacquiao.

Matthysse, the dangerous 36-year-old champion from Argentina who
tallied 36 knockouts out of his 39 wins, and against only four losses,
has started training with Joel Diaz. Diaz also trained Timothy
Bradley, whom Pacquiao has faced thrice in the past.

“This is the fight I have always wanted. The opportunity to fight a
future Hall of Famer such as Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao inspires me to
work harder than ever to earn a victory for my fans. I know that it
will not be easy. But I will defend my title with honor and represent
my country Argentina with pride,” said Matthysse.

Pacquiao is also set to welcome Golden Boy Promotions Chairman and CEO
Oscar Dela Hoya, the promoter of Matthysse. “This early, we would like
to thank the people who have made this event happen and I thank all
boxing fans for their support,” said Pacquiao.

Pacquiao will be joined by his new promotions team along with trainers
Restituto “Buboy” Fernandez and Raides “Nonoy” Neri.

Manny Pacquiao will take on WBA Welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse on July 14th in Malaysia, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“Signed, sealed, and delivered: Proud to officially announce that WBA welterweight world champion Lucas Matthysse will put his title on the line against Manny Pacquiao in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Saturday night July 14 (U.S. time),” Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya, who promotes Matthysse, wrote on his social media.

Pacquiao will go into the fight without his longtime trainer, International Boxing Hall of Famer Freddie Roach, overseeing his camp or corner. Koncz said Pacquiao has replaced Roach with Buboy Fernandez, Pacquiao’s lifelong friend and the career-long assistant trainer who has been with him for every fight.

“That’s Manny’s decision. Manny has told me Buboy will be handling the training on this fight,” Koncz said. “What’s important to Manny is that he has one voice to listen to in the corner that he trusts, and I guess that’s Buboy for this fight.”

Asked about the reason Pacquiao decided to make a change — without notifying Roach — Koncz said, “There was some concerns Manny had in the last fight and some statements Freddie made to the media that Manny wasn’t very pleased about.”

“We are very pleased and privileged that ESPN will be part of this fight because of the tremendous viewing audience we had for the Australian fight,” Koncz said.

“We’re working together on this fight,” Koncz said. “They’ve done good for us for a long time, and we’ve done good for them for a long time. So we’re working with them on this fight. We don’t have any disputes with Top Rank. Hopefully, this fight with Matthysse is a big success and Manny is victorious, and then we can see if we can do a fight with [Vasiliy] Lomachenko with Top Rank in the fall.”

“[Arum] is invited [to the fight], and there’s no problem,” Pacquiao recently told reporters in the Philippines. “I think after my fight with Matthysse, we will talk regarding the possible Pacquiao-Lomachenko fight in the future. That is a good fight because he is a champion, and I’ll be challenged to become a champion again. At the same time, I don’t want the people to say that [the fight with Matthysse is] just a tune-up fight.”

“We had to schedule this fight so the senate wasn’t in session and wouldn’t interfere with Manny’s training,” Koncz said.