CHAMPIONS READY FOR EPIC FIGHT
Retirement far from Pacquiao’s mind as he aims to show he still packs a punch
RETIREMENT is far from Manny Pacquiao’s mind as the only eight-division world champion in boxing history focuses on wresting the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight belt from Argentine Lucas Matthysse at the Fight of Champions on Sunday.
The fight, at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil, will see the Filipino senator, at 39 years old, aiming to prove that he still has plenty of punch against 35-year-old Matthysse.
Matthysse’s Argentina may have been knocked out in the early rounds of the Fifa World Cup in Russia, but he is here in Kuala Lumpur with the goal of defending his world crown since knocking out Thailand’s Tewa Kiramin in January.
“I don’t know yet because I’ve never (thought of retirement), I don’t want to think negative and I just think about the fight. My mind is focused on the fight and on winning the fight,” said Pacquiao yesterday.
Pacquiao, aka Pacman, will be all fired up against his Latin American opponent, as cheering him on ringside will be none other than Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, his mother Dionesia Dapidran, wife Jinkee and his five children Emmanuel, Mary Divine Grace, Queen Elizabeth, Israel and Michael.
“I’m so happy and excited especially when my whole family are here cheering for me,” added Pacquiao, coming off a 12-round loss to Australian Jeff Horn in July 2017.
Dionesia, 69, was in an exuberant mood at Le Meridien hotel in KL Sentral yesterday as she expressed full confidence that her son will beat Matthysse.
“I am very proud of him and very excited. I’m sure he can win,” said Dionesia.
The Pacquiao-Matthysse fight will be the biggest boxing match in Kuala Lumpur since the Muhammad Ali-Joe Bugner showdown in 1975.