Philippines, 31 Mar 2026
  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:

  • ZAYAS AND BOOTS CLASH IN UNIFIED BLOCKBUSTER AT BARCLAYS CENTER, BROOKLYN ON JUNE 27 – LIVE AND EXCLUSIVE ON DAZN PPV
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Full Card to Join Taduran Vs. Perez on Friday, April 3, at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. Live on ESPN Knockout
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • 13-0 prospect Marco Romero hasn’t lost a Fight in nearly 7 years and he’s only 20
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • WORLD ELITE SUMO ANNOUNCES NEW DATE – SATURDAY, MAY 16 – FOR LIVE PROFESSIONAL SUMO EVENT AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • Filipino boy, 15, wins US chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • 60 Years of Top Rank: Bob Arum’s First Fight Launched a Boxing Empire
    , Mon, 30 Mar 2026
  • Lebron James and son Bronny make NBA History
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 30 Mar 2026
  • Bryan Acosta Wins WBA Continental Americas Featherweight Championship with Unanimous Decision over Ronny Rios in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Thunder Studios in Long Beach
    , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Filipino boy, 9, wins in Canada chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Vagabov and Ziyaev crowned champions at IBA Bare Knuckle 4 in Saint Petersburg
    , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Sherwin Tiu captures Kamatyas Open Chess crown
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Fundora vs Thurman: Can Keith Thurman Shake Off The Rust?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Albert Ramirez Against Lerrone Richards for the WBA Interim Light Heavyweight World Title on June 4 in Montreal!
    , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • GM Daniel Quizon is the Favorite in 19th Kamatyas
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Weights From ‘Acosta vs. Rios’ Event from Thunder Studios in Long Beach, Calif., and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV
    , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC maintains priority of the defense of fighters
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Barrière and Akdeniz win in Montreal
    By Eric Armit, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Jesse Espinas and Leboy Atencio Ready to Rumble in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV (Weigh-in Photos)
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Matchroom Boxing announces new long-term contract extensions for two top UK fighters
    , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Thananchai Decisions "Lucky Boy" Alicaba
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Suslenkov to defend WBA continental title against Mann at IBA.PRO 16 in Serpukhov
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • SBA Builds the Future of Billiards with SBA Next and Official Pool Hub Network
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • Don King Productions Announces Challenger for Reigning WBC Cruiserweight World Champion Noel Mikaelian
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • 11-0 Brooklyn heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor developing his skills at Deontay Wilder and Andrii Novytskyi
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • IBA welcomes the victory of common sense in the IOC policy on protecting women
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    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
    © 2026 philboxing.com.