Matthysse: Pacquiao not the same fighter as before

MANILA, Philippines – For WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse, Manny Pacquiao is already ripe for the picking.

Addressing the crowd Wednesday at the lone Manila press conference for his title defense against Pacquiao on July 15 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Matthysse is confident he can send Pacquiao to retirement.

He said Pacquiao has long been on the decline.

"Ever since that (fourth Juan Manuel) Marquez fight, he's not the same fighter anymore,” the Argentine told the crowd, the memory of Pacquiao’s shocking knockout loss to Marquez in 2012 still fresh in his mind.

The 35-year-old pride of Chubut, Argentina is aiming to post the biggest victory of his career and at the same time keep the title he won earlier this year.

But Matthysse believes beating Pacquiao is easier said than done.

“He's no longer in his prime. But he's still a good fighter,” he added.

Matthysse endured a 17-hour flight from his native Argentina to Los Angeles, where he took a connecting flight to Manila for an additional 13-hour trip. All in all, it was a back-breaking journey lasting more than a day.

He arrived in Manila Wednesday morning, but still looked fresh for the afternoon press conference at the Grand Ballroom of City of Dreams Hotel in Paranaque.

Clad in a Barong Tagalog, he earlier fielded questions from reporters, gamely answering each of them through Golden Boy Promotions’ president Eric Gomez, who acted as his translator.

For Matthysse, the long trip was worth it as he finally had the chance to size Pacquiao up.

“I've seen Manny fight on TV, but I've never seen him in person,” he said.

Now that he has an idea who is he up against, Matthysse vowed to defend his WBA welterweight strap whatever it takes.

“I've only won one title. I'm not gonna give it now,” said Matthysse.         

“I'll defend it to death."

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