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Knockout artist Lucas Matthysse could derail Pacquiao?s new world title quest By Leo Reyes PhilBoxing.com Sat, 07 Apr 2018  Hard-hitting WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse could stand in the way of Manny Pacquiao?s quest for another shot at a new world title. Pacquiao and Matthysse are set to clash on July 15 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. At stake is Matthysse?s WBA welterweight belt which he secured after knocking out Tewa Kiram of Thailand by way of eighth round knockout decision for the vacant title last January 27 in Inglewood, California. Pacquiao lost his WBO welterweight title against Jeff Horn in a controversial unanimous decision on July 2, 2017 at the Suncorp Arena in Brisbane, Australia. Matthysse is a knockout artist having won 36 of his 44 career fights via knockout. Two of his other wins came via decision and one by disqualification. From his four defeats, three came via decision and one by knockout. Matthysse?s lone knockout loss came in the tenth round in a title fight against Victor Postol of Ukraine for the vacant WBC light welterweight title on October 3, 2015 at the StubHub Center in Carson, California. Pacquiao?s choice of Matthysse for his next opponent is commendable because of his track record as a hard-punching knockout boxer compared to his promoter Bob Arum?s choice of former light welterweight belt holder Mike Alvarado. Pacquiao could have taken the opportunity to score an easy win against Alvarado but there was no world title at stake in the proposed fight. While Alvarado is great fighter having worn the WBO light welterweight belt, Pacquiao argued that a win over Matthysse would be better for his career because he would enjoy a top billing as champion on his next fight. Besides, he would be avoiding a backlash from fans that would surely downplay an easy win against Alvarado. Lucas Matthysse vs Danny Garcia highlights. Lucas Matthysse vs Ruslan Provodnikov highlights. But Pacquiao is in for a tough fight against Matthysse, who is about four years younger at 35. Pacquiao turned 39 last Dec.17. Aside from the age gap, Matthysse is superior in both height and reach. He stands 5′ 6?″ with a reach of 69? while Pacquiao stands 5′ 5?″ with a reach of 67 inches. While they are both power punchers, Matthysse has a higher percentage of KO wins at 82 against Pacquiao?s record of 56 percent. Fight and physical statistics clearly favor Mathysse . However, Pacquiao is the more experienced and skilled boxer with superior hand as well as foot speed. Despite the numbers favoring Matthysse, early bettors are going for Pacquiao to outsmart Matthysse on July 15. Pacquiao earlier said Matthysse is a tough opponent and admitted he is the underdog. But barely a day after the fight was officially announced, odds seem to have favored Pacquiao although it may change as training progresses. It is too early to predict who will emerge victorious on July 15 but it is obvious Matthysse will train hard for the upcoming fight to keep his title and derail Pacquiao?s quest for a new championship belt. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Leo Reyes.  |
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