| |
|
Duterte will be ringside in KL to watch Pacquiao fight Matthysse
By Rich Mazon PhilBoxing.com Thu, 12 Jul 2018

Kuala Lumpur - Manny Pacquiao will have a very special spectator this Sunday when he battles WBA (World Boxing Association) welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse at the Axiata Arena.
The popular but controversial Philippine President Rodrigo ?Digong? Duterte will be watching Pacquiao challenge for another title to add to his collection of belts. The boxer is also an elected senator and a former congressman in their country and is a political ally of the president.
This was confirmed by Pacquiao himself during a media workout held yesterday at the Le Meridean hotel in Kuala Lumpur.
According to reports from several Philippine news outlets, Duterte will also be meeting with Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad after the bout.
On his part, Lucas Matthysse is undaunted that Duterte will be at ringside to support Pacquiao this Sunday.
?In that ring it will just be me and Manny, not the president,? Matthysse told the media during his workout last Wednesday.
This will be the first time that Duterte will be watching Pacquiao fight in the ring. The president is expected to fly to the Malaysian capital this weekend from Manila.
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com and @Freemazon910 on Twitter.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
STACKED MARCH 14 UNDERCARD SHOWCASES GOLDEN BOY’S NEXT GENERATION OF CHAMPIONS , Tue, 03 Mar 2026The Perfect Boxing Prospect 12-0 Marco Romero , Tue, 03 Mar 2026Quietly formidable boxers Kristian Prenga & Pyrce Taylor continue Their assault on the heavyweight division , Tue, 03 Mar 2026“Prince” Albert Pagara Flies to Perth for WBC Australasia Title Fight By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026Ryan Daye vows a dominant standout performance in WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth Thunderdome 53 , Mon, 02 Mar 2026Moncal, Mag-aso rule Legacy Run By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026Lavant Brownlee Earns Gold, Lorenzo Patricio Earns Silver at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament , Mon, 02 Mar 2026Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Disputes hometown decision for NBA Americas Featherweight title , Mon, 02 Mar 2026HALL OF FAMER WINKY WRIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND FESTIVITIES , Mon, 02 Mar 2026Reyes Siblings New Champions in US chess tourney , Mon, 02 Mar 2026Lorenzo Parra Delivers Stunning Second-Round Knockout at Sold-Out Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y. , Sun, 01 Mar 2026Almacen Bros Score Knockout Wins in Exciting Brico Santig Show in Thailand Live on TrillerTV By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026Lorenzo Patricio and Lavant Brownlee Advance to Gold Medal Round in Bulgaria , Sun, 01 Mar 2026HALL OF FAMER TIMOTHY BRADLEY JR. TO RETURN TO CANASTOTA FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND , Sun, 01 Mar 2026Paras stops Abcede in 2nd round By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026Undefeated Welterweight Ruben Aguilar Stops Luis Lopez in Eight Brutal Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at University of Texas in Arlington , Sun, 01 Mar 2026Patricio, Brownlee and Awinongya Enter Medal Rounds on Day Five of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament , Sun, 01 Mar 2026Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000 By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026IM Arca finishes in eight place in Pacquiao chess; NM Ilar pockets P100,000 By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026DC Half Marathon on March 8 at Freedom Park By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026Athletics Festival Season 4 on March 21-22 By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026Nuñez vs Navarrete: Knuckle Up for a Certified Banger By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026‘There's no way I'm going to lose’ -- Holly McMath looks to make a statement in high-stakes trilogy fight , Sat, 28 Feb 2026WEIGHTS, RUNNING ORDER AND FINAL WORDS FOR NAVARRETE VS. NUNEZ , Sat, 28 Feb 2026WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS: PIERCE VS. PARRA , Sat, 28 Feb 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|