Pacquiao vs Matthysse 'sealed' for July 14, says Dela Hoya
Manny Pacquiao will try to dethrone WBA champion Lucas Matthysse of Argentina.
MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao will challenge WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 14 (July 15 Manila time).
Boxing legend Oscar Dela Hoya, Matthysse’s promoter, said on Twitter that the fight is “signed, sealed, and delivered.”
Signed, sealed, and delivered: Proud to officially announce that WBA welterweight world champion @MatthysseLucas will put his title on the line against @mannypacquiao in Kuala Lumpur, Malyasia on Saturday night July 14 (US time).
— Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) April 2, 2018
No details were provided on whether Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc., Pacquiao’s longtime promoter, will be involved in the staging of the fight.
Pacquiao had earlier announced he will fight Matthysse as early as last month, a bout that will be co-promoted by the Filipino icon’s MP Promotions and Dela Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions.
But Pacquiao’s contractual status with Top Rank has been put into play, with Arum saying the boxer is still under contract with his company. This, Arum said, means Top Rank would be involved in Pacquiao’s next fight.
Pacquiao’s camp, however, insisted that the boxer’s deal with Top Rank has expired last year after the fighting senator lost to Jeff Horn in Brisbane, Australia.
Now, Pacquiao has moved on and will shoot for another world title against Matthysse, a heavy-handed Argentinian whose 39 wins include 36 knockouts (he has lost four times).
It’s on! Can’t wait to challenge Lucas Matthysse for another world title on July 15 in Kuala Lumpur, Malyasia - July 14 US time #Pacmanisback
— Manny Pacquiao (@mannypacquiao) April 3, 2018
Pacquiao has started light training some weeks ago, and together with Dela Hoya is expected to promote the fight via press conferences in Manila and other key Asian cities in the following weeks.
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