Philippines, 10 Dec 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Can Mr. Matthysse honestly spell DEFENSE?


PhilBoxing.com




FOR a first warning, veteran promoter Bob Arum said WBA world welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse would be a very dangerous opponent.

Matthysse, as everyone must know by now, makes a first defense of his WBA championship against Filipino national treasure Manny Pacquiao on July 15 in Kuala Lumpur.

When Matthysse showed up recently in Manila for a press conference that formally launched his title battle against Pacquiao, he appeared more like a harmless altar boy. He was calm and collected, handsome in a hemp barong tagalog.

**

Pacquiao, on the other hand, showed up for the traditional stare-down very firm, solid and robust. He beamed proudly in a dark diplomatic suit.

Maybe it was not the faded 39-year-old warrior Matthysse had thought he would meet after his tiring 30-hour trip from Buenos Aires?

Matthysse, 35, readily strutted up and declared he would be ready to die in defending his title.

**

Pacquiao and Matthysse next flew to Kuala Lumpur to promote their bout called ?Battle of Champions.?

Pacquiao made routine announcements, like how he would train longer, harder to be in perfect form.

Matthysse said he would train twice as hard. He also stressed he would surely knock out and retire Pacquiao.

Meanwhile, Arum would next be overheard flashing a red alert
The grizzled 86-year-old matchmaker warned that Matthysse ?hits as hard as a truck.?

**

It?s both odd and alarming but practically everybody who cares about boxing hereabouts would next manifest apprehension over Pacquiao?s chances against Matthysse.

These same people were one in wondering whether Pacquiao, after a year-long lay-off, could survive the hammer-fisted Argentinian world champion, who won his world crown with another stoppage only last January.

Prominently noted was Matthysse?s astounding record that saw him knocking out 36 of his 39 victims.

The common question would be,? Kaya ba talaga ni Manny si Matthysse? (Can Manny really handle Matthysse?)?

**

For his part, Pacquiao would not say much. All he had stressed was that he chose Matthysse because the WBA champion really loves to charge in, fight and rumble, without stepping back.
Pacquiao also promised a very thrilling bout for everyone.

He has, so far, refused to discuss Matthysse?s defense, perceived to be both patchy and loose.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Villarosa to fight Antaran on Dec. 18 in Bucana
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 10 Dec 2025
  • Opening Day Concludes at the 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
    , Wed, 10 Dec 2025
  • Mangin is rising star in PH taekwondo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 09 Dec 2025
  • CHICKEN RANCH CASINO RESORT BACKS DECEMBER 13 NIGHT IN STOCKTON
    , Tue, 09 Dec 2025
  • Brackets Set for 2025 USA Boxing National Championships in Lubbock
    , Tue, 09 Dec 2025
  • Petecio, Bautista, 4 others see action in SEAG on Dec. 10
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 09 Dec 2025
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Super Welterweight Yoenis Tellez Ready for Redemption Bout vs. Kendo Castaneda on December 13
    , Tue, 09 Dec 2025
  • Hot prospect Marco Romero Prepared to close 2025 in style
    , Tue, 09 Dec 2025
  • PH favored in SEA Games triathlon
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 09 Dec 2025
  • Tamayo settles to a draw in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 08 Dec 2025
  • Apolinar fails in WBO Asia Pacific title bid
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 08 Dec 2025
  • Biendima loses by UD
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 08 Dec 2025
  • OLYMPIC BOXING 6: 1932 OLYMPICS AT LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 08 Dec 2025
  • MONTE-CARLO SHOWDOWN VI FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS AS MASOUD BEATS McGRAIL
    , Sun, 07 Dec 2025
  • Pitbull Cruz and Lamont Roach Battle to Controversial Majority Draw in High-Intensity Title Clash
    , Sun, 07 Dec 2025
  • Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts and Ju-jitsu in Thailand SEA Games
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 06 Dec 2025
  • Mapua, IIEE Singapore and IM Concio wins the 7th IIEE ANC Cup co-awarded by GM Torre
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 06 Dec 2025
  • Pontinos to see action in PH Jetski in SEA Games
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 06 Dec 2025
  • Pitbull vs. Roach Jr & Co-Headliner Foster vs. Fulton Make for Solid PPV
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 06 Dec 2025
  • Weights from Philadelphia
    , Sat, 06 Dec 2025
  • MONTE-CARLO SHOWDOWN VI WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED WITH MASOUD AND McGRAIL SET TO BATTLE
    , Sat, 06 Dec 2025
  • Herlan Gomez, Jason Moloney Make Weight for WBC Australasia Bantamweight Battle in Australia
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 05 Dec 2025
  • OLYMPIC BOXING 5: 1928 OLYMPICS AT AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Fri, 05 Dec 2025
  • MONTE-CARLO SHOWDOWN VI PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 05 Dec 2025
  • Class of 2026 Announced in Canastota
    , Fri, 05 Dec 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.