GET READY TO RUMBLE AT PACQUIAO AND MATTHYSSE BOUT
Great fight expected after Pacquiao-Matthysse weigh in
KUALA LUMPUR: It’s all systems go for the rumble in Kuala Lumpur when Manny Pacquiao and Lucas Matthysse face off in the fight of the champions for the WBA world welterweight title at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil today.
Filipino boxer Pacquiao, who is the only eight-division world champion, came in at 146 pounds during the official weigh-in at the MITEC (Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre) yesterday.
Argentinian Matthysse, who is all pumped up to defend his title, tipped the scales at 146.7 pounds.
The weigh-in was opened to the public and both boxers met the stipulated weight limit for the welterweight class at 147 pounds.
The 12-round showdown between Pacquiao and Matthysse is the second major boxing event taking place in Malaysia after 43 years.
Muhammad Ali took on British-born Joe Bugner and won at the Merdeka Stadium in KL back in July 1975.
The match-up todaywill be a contest of Pacquiao’s speed against Matthysse’s power punches.
At the age of 39, Pacquiao is determined to show he still has a lot to offer in the ring.
It’s not just his age but Pacquiao has to juggle a few roles as a father, boxing promoter and a senator of the Philippines government for the last few years.
Pacquiao has not fought since July last year when he lost to Australian Jeff Horn on a unanimous points decision in Brisbane but has been training hard since he announced his intention to bring the fight to KL.
Pacquiao has split with American trainer Eddie Roach, whom he has worked with for the last 16 years and his long-time friend and assistant Buboy Fernandez has taken up the gauntlet to prepare Pacquiao. Fernandez is expecting a great fight today. “Manny is in good fighting condition. He still has the desire to win and we went through a great training camp back home before coming here,” said Fernandez.
“He also has the experience and will counter Matthysse’s power. If he can finish it off early, I’m sure he will go for it.”
The Matthysse camp has set up a base in KL more than a week ago and they are convinced they have the upper hand.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to fight Manny ... it’s a dream come true,” said the 35-year-old Matthysse, who is famous for knocking out opponents and boasts 36 knockouts out of his 39 bouts.
“He is a great champion but he has not faced a machine like me. I’m going to defend this title to the death.”
The action starts from 8am and also features 10 undercard fights as well.
Theena Thayalan (welterweight) and Aiman Abu Bakar (featherweight) will fly the flag for Malaysia, taking on India’s Siddharth Varma and Indonesia’s Abdi Teger respectively.