| |
|
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:
Meinke-Vargas IBF Featherweight Female World Championship Set for 12 rounds? By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026Ruiz and Veloz Earn Dominant Wins on Opening Day of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup , Tue, 10 Mar 2026Top Rank Signs Undefeated Lightweight Prospect Sammy Contreras , Tue, 10 Mar 2026153 swimmers safely complete Davao-Samal-Davao Cross Channel By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026Leading World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki returns from 15-month layoff with another overpowering KO , Mon, 09 Mar 2026Roca, Bernardino share top honors in Tea Block rapid chess tournament By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026Fastpitch Softball on March 20-22 in Calinan By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026Opetaia vs Glanton: Dana White Crowns First Boxing Champion. Is Fight Worthy? By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026In Thrilling Showdown, Pagara Falls Short Against Polkinghorn by Points. , Sun, 08 Mar 2026Unofficial Unification Tournament Brewing For Welterweights By Ralph Rimpell, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026Fight Results from Montreal: Steven Butler Obliterates Ramadan Hiseni; Wins by Lenar Perez, Jhon Orobio and Steve Claggett By Eric Armit, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026Former Champ Junior Makabu visits WBC offices in Mexico City By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026WEIGHTS FROM SYDNEY, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA , Sat, 07 Mar 2026Weights from Atlantic City , Sat, 07 Mar 2026PFL Releases Francis Ngannou By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026Polkinghorn, Pagara at the Scales in Perth, Australia By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026Young Briton Rising Star: Callum Dan's Quest for Boxing Glory By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026Chua rules Pattaya Open; pockets $22,500 By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026All Star Boxing live on ESPN DEPORTES Weights from Nicaragua , Fri, 06 Mar 2026Ryan Rozicki’s Return: Presser Quotes from Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada , Fri, 06 Mar 2026Undefeated Heavyweight Gustavo “The Cuban Assassin” Trujillo Returns to Headline “Havoc at the Hilton 3” March 7 in Florida , Fri, 06 Mar 2026AQ Prime Chess bet Marius Zabanal Constante of Pasig City rules Elementary Division of NCR Palarong Pambansa Standard chess elims By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 06 Mar 2026World-Ranked Light Heavyweight Najee Lopez Battles Mexican Strongman Manuel Gallegos , Fri, 06 Mar 2026USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Travels to Thailand for 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup , Fri, 06 Mar 2026Eddie Hearn Signs UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall for New Matchroom Talent Agency , Fri, 06 Mar 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|