Eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao has continued to speak out against the circulating rumors that his upcoming bout will be postponed.
Pacquiao will challenge WBA "regular" welterweight king Lucas Matthysse on July 15 [July 14 in America] at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
There have been reports that Pacquiao's company, MP Promotions, had unsettled business when it came to meeting certain financial deadlines to make the event take place.
Besides being the start fighter of the show, Pacquiao is also the lead promoter of the show.
The contest was going to be carried by ESPN Pay-Per-View in the United States, but that won't happen due to certain deadlines not being met - according to promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank. The event is still a possibility to be televised on ESPN or the ESPN+ streaming service.
Arum has been the lead promoter for Pacquaio for well over a decade - however, Pacquiao has claimed on several occasions that he's a promotional free agent.
Pacquiao claims that all of the financial deadlines have been met and nothing will stop the contest from taking place.
“MP Promotions had already settled the financial issues. Last Monday, we sent the initial payment to the Golden Boy Promotions and the Matthysse Camp. The remaining amount will be released as scheduled,” Pacquiao said to Philboxing.com.
“We are now on the final phase of our preparations for the July 15 bout. Both of us are preparing hard. I don’t want to predict the outcome but I feel this fight will not last the full distance. May the best man win.
“Despite our efforts, there are still some individuals who wanted to sabotage the fight. I am saddened, but not affected, by what they are doing. May God enlighten their minds and soften their hearts.
Certain members of Pacquiao's team have expressed their anger towards Arum in the media.
Pacquiao was overheard by press members telling his team to stand down - in a preventive measure to avoid a war of words in the press.
“Just ignore what he (Arum) said. He is already an old man. Let’s respect him,” Pacquiao said.