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PACQUIAO SAYS HE IS THE UNDERDOG AGAINST MATTHYSSE; ARUM SEES THE FIGHT AS PRETTY EVEN By Maloney L. Samaco PhilBoxing.com Sat, 07 Apr 2018  Oscar De La Hoya posted on Twitter that the fight between fighting senator Manny Pacquiao and WBA regular welterweight champ Lucas Matthysse had been "signed, sealed, and delivered." It will happen in Kuala Lumpur, Malyasia on Saturday night July 14 (US time). This was supported by Golden Boy President Eric Gomez who stated "It's done." The deal went through difficult times but they worked it out to come up with a final schedule. "When we were contacted by Manny Pacquiao and his crew, we weren't sure what his current situation was but we obviously worked together. There were a few issues that came up and we worked through them and we were able to get it done," Gomez told BoxingScene.com. Gomez stated that they have every assurance that this fight is going to happen. They are working on the press conference now and feel confident this is going to go through. He also gave information that ESPN would be handling the distribution of the event in the United States. "Obviously Lucas would love to do the fight here in the U.S. and wanted the fight here in the U.S. but it was too good of a deal to pass up in Malaysia and we're very excited and happy that he got this opportunity. He deserves it and he's wanted it for some time now and whenever you get a chance to fight Manny Pacquiao, you've got to be willing to go to the moon if it's going to take place there," Gomez said. "This is going to be a tough fight. Matthysse is also a knockout artist. But I?m excited to fight and be a world champion again,? Pacquiao said. ?I?m the underdog in this fight but I?m used to it. It serves as a big motivation for me to train and fight hard to win the crown,? added Pacquiao, who was an eight division world champion and once global pound-for-pound king. Pacquiao also expressed his desire is to beat Matthysse and possibly face WBO lightweight champion Vasiliy Lomachenko next. Top Eank CEO Bob Arum thinks that the WBA title fight between Pacquiao and Matthysse is a pretty even fight. He cautions that Matthysse, who is younger at 35 than the 39-year-old Pacquiao, could be a dangerous opponent. ?A very good run for his money and it?s a tough fight for Manny, but hopefully he will be successful,? Arum was quoted by The Manila Times. ?I think he (Pacquiao) has a very good chance, very good chance, but he got to train very hard.? The Argentinean champ has a high knockout percentage win with 36 in his 39 wins are by knockout with just four losses. His last fight was a triumph against Thai Tewa Kiram last January 2 by eighth-round stoppage. Arum added that possibly two years ago, Manny would have been a heavy favorite but now it is a pretty even fight. However, Pacquiao remains one of the most popular fighters in the world despite his defeat to Jeff Horn last year in Brisbane, declared the Top Rank boss. ?I think Manny is considered one of the best fighters in the world. But you know, as a fighter gets older, the younger fighters come up and they take their place. So Manny is still one of the bestfighters in the world. And if he wins, he told me he wants to fight (Vasyl) Lomachenko who many people say is the best fighter in the world.? Arum still believes that Pacquiao?s stamina could still match with that of Matthysse. But warns that age could be a disadvantage. ?Athletics in any sports is a cruel business because when you get older, you don?t get better.? Arum told the Manila Bulletin that his company is also on board on the Pacquiao-Matthysse title fight. Pacquiao?s MP Promotions will spearhead the match while Arum's Top Rank and De La Hoya?s Golden Boy Promotions will provide the the technical assistance. Everything now depends on the Malaysian financiers of the event to deliver the logistics. ?Over on this side of the ocean, everything is on board,? said Arum. ?I really hope this fight happens.? Arum will send Brad Jacobs, Top Rank?s chief operating officer, to Manila to represent him during the kickoff press conference on April 18 and later in Kuala Lumpur and other Malaysian tour. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.  |
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