Pacquiao declares war; Matthysse sure of win
Filipino ring star Manny Pacquiao and WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse ofArgentina drew wild cheers from fans during their 'grand arrivals' yesterday at the lobby of Le Meridien HotelinKualaLumpur, Malaysia.
But in the midst of light moments that enveloped both camps in the traditional ceremony, the two protagonists couldn't help but threw a bit of verbal jabs at each other, five days before their scheduled 12-round title bout that is the second major boxing blockbuster in Malaysia since Muhammad Ali beat the British-born Joe Bugner at the Merdeka Stadium back in July 1975.
“We are locked and loaded. I am more than ready and excited to show Malaysian fight fans the fruits of hard training and preparation. We had a very great training camp and I cannot wait to fight on Sunday," said the fighting senator.
Pacquiao, the only eightdivision world champion in boxing history, will challenge Matthysse in his hotlyanticipated ring comeback this Sunday (July 15) at the Axiata Arena in KL.
Pacquiao hasn't fought since losing his WBO welterweight belt to Jeff Horn via controversial split decision a year ago at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.
While Pacquiao is primed and ready for the crucial battle that will determine the futute of his fistic career, Matthysse declared that he is 100 percent sure to win the match and he will do it in spectacular fashion.
“I feel 100 percent sure that I will succeed in this fight. I trained very hard to defend my title in Malaysia. I’ve already gotten used to the weather and time here. I’m in great condition, and I promise a great performance to the entire world," said Matthysse. "I thank Golden Boy Promotions, Arano Box and everyone involved in the promotion. This will be a firstclass combat in which I promise a spectacular victory!”
Paqcuiao, who turns 40 this December, holds a 59-7-2 record spiked with 38KOs, while the 35-year-old Matthysse sports a 39-4 slate with 36KOs.
Before Pacquiao takes on Matthysse, the undefeated Cebuano power-puncher Jhack Tepora (21-0, 16KOs) of the Omega Gym hope to steal the show when he slugs it out with Edivaldo "Indio" Ortega (26-1-1, 12KOs) for the vacant WBA featherweight crown.