Philippines, 02 Jul 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:

  • Open Workout: Abdullah Mason and Albert Bell Prepare For Saturday's All-Ohio World Title Showdown
    , Thu, 02 Jul 2026
  • Dela Peña stops Delos Santos, now ready for Slugfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 02 Jul 2026
  • A Filipino Champion’s Last Fourth of July: A Visit to Oaks Ball Park
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Thu, 02 Jul 2026
  • Amazing Muay Thai WBC 2026 Festival Consolidates Its Global Success in Bangkok
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 02 Jul 2026
  • IBA Bare Knuckle unveils star-studded fight card ahead of its first event in the USA
    , Thu, 02 Jul 2026
  • Eman-Perez trilogy being set up in August
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • Macababayao to face again Latonio after 4 years in Slugfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • Legendary Olympic Trainer Victor Pascual to be inducted into the Republica Dominicana Hall of Fame
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • Abdullah Mason vs. Albert Bell Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
    , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • HISTORIC NIGHT OF CELEBRATION FOR IRISH SPORT AWAITS AS UNDERCARD FOR KATIE TAYLOR VS PILI AT CROKE PARK iS CONFIRMED
    , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • Paradero to fight Cuarto for PBF Silver title on July 25
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • World Boxing Council Joins the Humanitarian Aid Relief for Earthquake Victims in Venezuela
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • LESTER MARTINEZ VS. LUKA PLANTIC ANNOUNCEMENT PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • KORONADAL SLUGFEST: I’m always ready – Roherstrey Jhon Yor
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 29 JUNE 2026: Paro UD Crocker for IBF Welter Title; Ennis Stops Zayas in 7 for WBA, WBO Welter Titles; Wins by Whittaker, Vargas and Tucker; Valenzuela KO2 De Los Santos
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 30 Jun 2026
  • Rising Featherweight Star Jaycob "The Raging Bull" Ramos Signs Exclusive Management Agreement with Boxing VIP
    , Tue, 30 Jun 2026
  • Clarion to leave on July 2 for WBC Youth title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 30 Jun 2026
  • Gustavo Trujillo Stays Undefeated with Devastating Seventh-Round Knockout at Fist of Fury 11
    , Tue, 30 Jun 2026
  • World Boxing Council Unveils Special July 4th Commemorative Belt Honoring USA 250th Anniversary
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 30 Jun 2026
  • 12-Year-Old Filipina Memory Prodigy Georgina Santos to Represent the Philippines in Two World Memory Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 30 Jun 2026
  • World championship mega-fight between Christian Mbilli and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez postponed to October
    , Mon, 29 Jun 2026
  • Filipino Jonas Magpantay wins Indonesia; pockets $15,000, gains steam heading to Vietnam
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 29 Jun 2026
  • Ex-kickboxer to debut in MMA Slugfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 29 Jun 2026
  • Deaño settles to a draw
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 28 Jun 2026
  • Abdyrakhmanov defeats Kadiev, Kudryashov knocks out Yousefi at IBA Bare Knuckle 5 in Moscow
    , Sun, 28 Jun 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.