The Philippines’ “People’s Champ” is headed for Malaysia. Yesterday, boxer (and senator) Manny Pacquiao’s camp announced that he will be fighting against Argentine boxer Lucas Matthysse in Kuala Lumpur in June.
Pacquiao’s Information Officer Aquiles Zonio confirmed the fight in a statement yesterday. This will be his first fight since his loss to Jeffrey Horn Jr. in July 2017.
Pacquiao will be challenging Matthysse for his WBA welterweight championship belt. He was also considering going against American boxer Danny Garcia but ended up picking Matthyse because he admires his fighting style.
“I like his (Matthysse’s) aggressive fighting style. That’s what I want, to entertain the boxing fans. Besides, Matthysse is not a dirty fighter and I highly respect him for that,” Pacquiao told The Philippine Star.
While the statement says that the event will be co-promoted by Pacquiao’s MP Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions, which represents Matthysse, an ESPN interview with the president of Golden Boy Promotions said a deal has not been sealed.
READ: Pacquiao tells newspaper he will be fighting in KL June 24, promoter says ‘not so fast’
“[Pacquiao’s adviser] Michael Koncz reached out to me and all we did was talk and that’s all I can say,” Golden Boy Promotions Eric Gomez said. “We’re interested in the fight. It’s very preliminary.”
Pacquiao’s long-time promoter, Bob Arum, also said that there’s still much left to be done before the fight can be finalized, which includes funding that will amount to US$15 million.
However, Arum is not involved in this particular event and his contract to promote Pacquiao is said to have already expired.
Since rising in popularity, Pacquiao’s fights were usually held in Las Vegas, but this isn’t the first time a title fight will be held in an Asian city. In 2013, he won against American Brandon Rios in a fight held in the Venetian Macau.
According to Pacquiao’s press release, the event will also be promoted through a press tour that will include Beijing, Tokyo, Macau, and Hong Kong.
Pacquiao will start training for the fight in April in his hometown General Santos City, South Cotabato in Mindanao.
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