Pacquiao Expects a "Toe To Toe" Fight With Lucas Matthysse

By Carlos Costa

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Filipino Boxing Legend Manny Pacaquiao and WBA "Regular' Welterweight World Champion Lucas Matthysse of Argentina faced off during today's press conference here n Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, both fighters promising to fight their heart for fans at Arexa Arena in Kuala Lumpur on July 15.

Pacquiao, who is also the promoter of the event “Fight of Champions,” stressed that he invites everyone to fight the fight.

“My pleasure to invite everyone to watch my fight with Matthysse,” a fight that, if victorious, will make the hugely beloved Manny Pacquiao a welterweight world champion again.

“For that, I will have to work hard, train hard for this fight not only a boxer, but also a public servant. I believe that my opponent world champion Matthysse will want to fight toe-to-toe, he is not going to back away, he is good fighter as well,” said Pacqiuao, who is also a Senator in his native Philippines.

“So I have to prepare and the important thing is discipline. After this press conference, I will go back the the Philippines and take care of my training, added the ever smiling, relaxed Pacman.

On his side, WBA world champion, Lucas Matthysse, a powerful striker who has won 36 of his 39 victories by way of knock out, said express his honor of fighting Pacquiao, and promised to retain his title and take it back to his native Argentina, where is one of the country's most popular athletes.

Regarding his age, Pacquiao says “I believe I can still fight and I think my discipline is what is most important; age does not matter.”

In addition, the 8-division world champion seriously expressed in Malaysia that this fight against Matthysse will be by no means his last.

“I want my last fight to be in the Philippines,”said Pacquiao during the press conference here at the plus Le Meridien Hotel Kuala Lumpur, adding that “I think that I still have a couple more fights before I retire.”

Asked by a local Malaysian reporter he feels that he will have the support of Filipinos in Malaysia, Pacquiao said:

“I feel that all Filipinos will support my fight because even we have our differences, Filipino people are united when its a moment of supporting honor for our country.” So I believe Filipinos are really going to support my fight.”

Meanwhile, Matthyse, who has a calm demeanour, said “the power of my punches is what gives me confidence (to win)."

Plus, I will have a good preparation and conditioning and the way I work in the gym, added Matthysse.

Moreover, Mattthyse said that if he defeats Manny Pacquiao, he is willing to fight any of the top welterweights in the world. However, if his fight with Pacquiao turns out to be a great fight, he will love to have a rematch with Manny, and would even invite the Filipino icon to come to fight in Argentina. Pacquiao just smiled.

"There are so many years that I do not fight in Argentina,” said the 35 year-old Lucas Matthyse It would be great to fight there (in Argentina) again. This fight is a really great fight in my career, and I am delighted to fight Manny here in Malaysia.,” added Lucas.

Asked how do they see the fight playing out, Pacquiao said he sees Matthysee as an aggressive boxer, willing to engage toe-to-toe.

The Pacman sees Matthysse different than other fights that he has had.

“He is not a running-running or dancing-dancing. This fight is really a boxing fight... Meaning more boxing action, and I do not want any running-running,”

The Argentinean, looking at the excited audience said that this will be a great fight because both are warriors who like to engage.

"It will be great for fans,” added Lucas. "I want to get this opportunity to fight here in Asia, this coming one here in Malaysia, the next one might be somewhere here in Asia as well...maybe China or somewhere else."

After the presser was over, both Pacquiao and Matthysse faced off for the cameras and shake hands, their next meeting will be back in Malaysia in July, a “Fight of Champions” in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.