The WBA Welterweight Championship match is going down this July 15 at Axiata Arena.
Boxers Manny Pacquiao and Lucas Matthysse made an appearance at Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur this morning, to officiate their upcoming Fight of Champions.
The legendary Filipino boxer will face the defending World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight champion this July 15 at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil.
Both camps were amicable, banking on the merit of two respectable fighters to build hype. Pacquiao is the only boxer to win titles in eight weight divisions. Over his 23-year pro career, he has won 59 matches, lost seven, and drew two. This will be his first match since last July, when he lost his World Boxing Organization welterweight title to Jeff Horn in July.
Matthysse has knocked out 36 of the 39 boxers he has defeated, earning the WBA belt when he beat Teerachai Sithmorseng in January. A younger, gritty fighter, he’s up there with other Argentine greats to fight international household names – Bonavena v Ali, Maidana v Mayweather.
“I can’t predict who will win the fight but I know I’ll give my best. It’s about discipline, not my age,” Pacquiao said, promising a tough, exciting match with “less running and more boxing.” Pacquiao v Matthysse marks the latter’s foray into event promotion with his company MP Promotions.
“We are both aggressive but clean fighters. That’s what’s going to give fans what they want and make this match incredible,” Matthysse commented. He’s determined to give all he’s got to keep the belt, but recognises this match as an honour. “When you get the opportunity to fight a legend, you take it,” he said, drawing parallels between his own success story and Pacquiao’s.
The undercard will feature several promising boxers from Southeast Asia and beyond, including Malaysians Muhammad Farkhan and R. Theena Thayalan. Promoter/ former boxing pro Oscar De La Hoya will be attending as well.
Pacquiao v Matthysse will take place in the 15,000-capacity Axiata Arena at 10 am on July 15 2018. Tickets are now available here.
