Oscar to go to KL for fight
Golden Boy Promotions president Eric Gomez has confirmed that Oscar de la Hoya will be at ringside to witness WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse’s first title defense against challenger Manny Pacquiao at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur on July 15.
Gomez said De la Hoya was set to join Matthysse in a promotional trip to Manila and Kuala Lumpur last week but cancelled at the last minute because of urgent business matters. Gomez and public relations director Ramiro Gonzalez represented Golden Boy in the trip while the Argentine fighter arrived with his manager Mario Arano.
“Oscar would’ve wanted to come and he planned to join the trip,” said Gomez. “But something came up. For sure, Oscar will be in K. L. for the fight. He wouldn’t miss it for the world. It’ll be historic. We all know the fight is the biggest in Malaysia in 43 years. At Golden Boy, we recognize the potential of the boxing market in Asia. We think it’s booming. More and more Asian fighters are making their mark in world boxing. Manny has opened the doors for Asian fighters all over the world and Golden Boy is excited to participate in this milestone event. Anytime Manny is involved in a promotion, we know it’ll be a big hit.”
Pacquiao’s MP Promotions is staging the event. He has involved both Golden Boy and rival Top Rank in the promotion. Golden Boy’s participation is through Matthysse while Top Rank will take care of pay-per-view sales in North America.
Gomez and Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz finalized the deal after lengthy backand-forth negotiations. There was talk that Pacquiao’s camp initially proposed the fight to be held in an open-air stadium but Matthysse rejected it. In the end, both camps agreed to use an indoor, air-conditioned arena. The open-air facility was presumed to be the 40,000-seat Merdeka Stadium where Muhammad Ali decisioned Joe Bugner to retain the world heavyweight crown in 1975.
The “Fight of Champions” was postponed from June 24 to July 15 as negotiations were protracted. The final contract was signed by Matthysse and Pacquiao under a strict clause of confidentiality. No details of the purses were disclosed but the rumor is Matthysse will receive at least $2 Million.
What makes the bout a fight fan’s dream come true is there’s so much at stake. Matthysse, 35, said after beating Pacquiao, he wants a rematch with former WBC welterweight titlist Danny Garcia who outpointed him and fractured his left cheekbone in 2013. Pacquiao, 39, said after beating Matthysse, he plans to challenge Vasyl Lomachenko or arrange a return engagement with Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Pacquiao said he’s hoping to fight in Manila after Kuala Lumpur. To make their future plans happen, a win is a prerequisite so losing isn’t an option. That’s why Matthysse and Pacquiao are expected to go all out for a convincing victory.
Koncz said Pacquiao had the option of fighting a tomato can in a tune-up since he hasn’t seen action since losing to Jeff Horn in Brisbane last July. The patsy wasn’t named but it’s widely known that 37-year-old Mike Alvarado, who lost to Pacquiao victim Brandon Rios twice in three outings, was under consideration as cannon fodder. But Pacquiao chose to battle Matthysse instead because a world title would be on the line. He owed it to his fans to fight only the best and at this time, Matthysse is the world champion.
During his Manila visit, Matthysse went to watch the title-clinching Game 4 of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Finals in Muntinlupa. He said he played basketball as a boy but is now completely focused on boxing. Matthysse said he doesn’t follow basketball and seemed unaware of who Luis Scola is but of course, knew about Manu Ginobili. Pacquiao said he’s a big fan of the Argentine national soccer team with Lionel Messi.