Philippines, 30 Apr 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


THE SQUARED RING: Clear and Present Danger


PhilBoxing.com




Kuala Lumpur - A self-confessed ?biggest fan of Manny Pacquiao? from Thailand asked the boxer why he elected to face an opponent with a 92 percent KO percentage.

?Why did you choose to fight Lucas Matthysse? He has 39 wins and 36 KOs. Why did you choose to fight him?" asked the concerned admirer.

Pacquiao, amused by the question, replied in his usual guarded response.

?I choose Lucas Mattysse because he is a fighter. He is a very aggressive fighter who throws a lot of punches. Me and him fighting - I can?t imagine the action that we are going to do in the ring.?

Matthysse may be described as a one-sided brawler but he is dangerous with his fists. Thirty six of his past thirty nine foes did not reach the final bell.

He may be easy pickings for the Manny of old but not the Manny of now.

Hence the concern of his ?biggest fan? -and most fans of his.

Pacquiao has slowed down from the days that he was called as the ?Pacific Storm? by the great Larry Merchant. At almost 40 and when most of his colleagues have called it a day, Pacquiao is still fighting wars like last year with a dirty Jeff Horn. He is also waging a battle against the formidable Father Time.

The eight-division champion has not stopped an opponent in nine years, Matthysse has knocked out his last foe with a jab and after a year of inactivity.

The knockout-seeking Pacman is long gone and Matthysse?s fists warns of a clear and present danger.

The Filipino legend?s former opponent and now co-promoter, Oscar Dela Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions, gave his insight of how he thought the fight will end up.

?You have to take a look at Manny Pacquiao?s last fight. He hasn?t knocked somebody out since 2009. So, you have to take a look at that. If Manny wins, he?s going to win by decision. If Lucas wins, I think he?ll win by knockout.?

If Dela Hoya uttered this ten years ago, he would have been met by ridicule by fans and the boxing media.

Matthysse?s team is also heedless of Pacquiao?s hands, they are more worried of the how the fight will be scored by the three judges at ringside given that the fight is in the Asian legend?s turf.

?I just want to make sure that all the officials are up to par to this magnificent event,? expressed Mario Arano, Matthysse?s manager.

Pacquiao downplayed his Thai fan?s apprehension and instead talked about the possible fireworks that this Sunday?s fight can offer.

?My concern for every fight is to create more action in the ring, to make the fans happy.?

That is typical Manny Pacquiao. His speed may have slowed down but his please-the fans-attitude at all costs - is one thing that has never changed through the years.

Not even if he?s approaching forty and his skills diminished. Not even against a dangerous foe with a fist that can remind him of the devastating knockout he suffered against a former rival in 2012.

And that is a recipe for danger.

And that is why we will be watching.

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:

  • “FATAL FURY: CITY OF THE WOLVES” MEDIA WORKOUT
    , Wed, 30 Apr 2025
  • WBC presents "Xicoténcatl" belt for the Canelo-Scull fight in Riyadh
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 30 Apr 2025
  • Thailand to host WBC 63rd Annual Convention in Phuket in November
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 30 Apr 2025
  • Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
    , Wed, 30 Apr 2025
  • Raymond Muratalla: "I’m Ready to Show Out on May 10!"
    , Wed, 30 Apr 2025
  • Training Camp Notes: Undefeated Lightweight Kaipo Gallegos Prepares for Clash with Pedro Castaneda Castro on May 9 in Orlando
    , Wed, 30 Apr 2025
  • “THE KING OF THE FOUR ROUNDERS” ERIC “BUTTERBEAN” ESCH TO ATTEND 2025 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND
    , Wed, 30 Apr 2025
  • Action Summary Week Ending 28 April 2025
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 29 Apr 2025
  • Butler, Green Show Up on Rockets in 109-106 Win
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 29 Apr 2025
  • Jerusalem Leads Five Pinoys in Ring's Ratings; Japan Dominates the Lower Weights Class
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 29 Apr 2025
  • Dableo Second in Sydney Standard Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 29 Apr 2025
  • Dreamland: Where Filipino Fists Lit Up San Francisco Nights
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 28 Apr 2025
  • IM Concio wins Victoria Sports Club Rapid Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 28 Apr 2025
  • Tapales bags WBC International Silver super bantamweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 28 Apr 2025
  • Boston, NY and Minnesota One Win Away; Push Orlando, Detroit and LAL on Brink
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 28 Apr 2025
  • Sasaki Guns for Japan's First World Welterweight Title, Honor as Asia's Best Asian Boxing Nation
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 28 Apr 2025
  • Raga beats Bañares in SBA Philippine Open, pockets ₱400,000 cash prize
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 28 Apr 2025
  • OK-C You Next Season, Memphis
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sun, 27 Apr 2025
  • Eubank Jr. Edges Benn in Thrilling Grudge Match for the Ages
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 27 Apr 2025
  • Due to Illness, H2O Syve Withdraws from Tonight’s Bout
    , Sun, 27 Apr 2025
  • Filipino FM Ivan Travis Cu runner-up in Budapest First Saturday Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 27 Apr 2025
  • Home Teams Rule the Day
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sat, 26 Apr 2025
  • Marlon Tapales Makes Weight for WBC International Title Fight in Gensan
    , Sat, 26 Apr 2025
  • WELTERWEIGHT ERIC TUDOR TAKES UNANIMOUS DECISION OVER KEVIN JOHSON IN MAIN EVENT OF ‘LA FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS’ FROM THUNDER STUDIOS AND LIVE ON DAZN
    , Sat, 26 Apr 2025
  • Eubank vs Benn: Like Father Like Son
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 26 Apr 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.