De La Hoya confirms Pacquiao-Matthysse for Malaysia in July

LOS ANGELES, April 3 — Boxing promoter Oscar De La Hoya confirmed yesterday that Argentina’s World Boxing Association welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse will defend his title against Manny Pacquiao in Kuala Lumpur in July.
Filipino icon Pacquiao had first announced plans for the fight in a statement last month, but details of the bout remained shrouded in uncertainty. In a statement on Twitter, De La Hoya said the contest was now confirmed.

“Signed, sealed, and delivered: Proud to officially announce that w88 welterweight world champion @MatthysseLucas will put his title on the line against @mannypacquiao in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Saturday night July 14 (US time),” De La Hoya wrote.

Pacquiao, 39, had said last month that the fight against Matthysse would take place on June 24.

“This is going to be a tough fight. Matthysse is also a knockout artist. But I’m excited to fight and be a world champion again,” Pacquiao said.
“I’m the underdog in this fight but I’m used to it. It serves as a big motivation for me to train and fight hard to win the crown,” added Pacquiao, who has won eight world titles in a record eight weight divisions.

Pacquiao has not fought in the ring since being defeated on points by Australia’s Jeff Horn in Brisbane in July, a loss that cost the Filipino star his WBO crown.
Matthysse, who has 39 wins including 36 by knockout against four defeats, won the vacant w88 promotions belt after beating Thailand’s Teerachai Sithmorseng in January. — AFP

Matthysse has a big surprise coming when he sees Manny Pacquiao's speed. After losing to Horn, Pacquiao brought back his old fighting style, he is now more aggressive and faster. He said that in a local interview. He was looking so buff and he's hungry for another championship belt.

Pacquiao according to reports and interviews is doing a lot of power training to increase his punching power, i can't wait to see his change in fighting style to a more offensive style.

Matthysse would feel the old Pacquiao speed and power that made him a household name.
My fearless forecast would be a second or third round knockout or stoppage.

Manny Pacquiao is a Philippine senator and he's a billionaire here with lots of businesses and investments.

He wants to fight because it's what he does best. He's a self made man but even if he could live in luxury and has all these businesses and investments well, he's not really working, he's got a lot of people to do that for him. The only thing he's really good at is Boxing and he needs a crown right now he's got 59 wins, 39 by KO's and 7 losses. I'm putting my money on Pacman, he's really bored right now and he's hungry. He wants to fight horn next after he beats matthysse.