MANILA, Philippines — Oscar dela Hoya is flying to Kuala Lumpur way ahead of the WBA welterweight title clash between Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao and Argentine champion Lucas Matthysse.
Dela Hoya said he wants to be in the Malaysian capital 10 days before the fight so he could help Pacquiao, his tormentor, promote the July 15 card at the Axiata Arena.
Boxing’s Golden Boy, who retired from the sport after being outclassed by Pacquiao nearly 10 years ago, also wants to be there to watch Matthysse triumph.
Dela Hoya is the promoter of the 35-year-old Argentine champion. He’s among those saying or thinking that Pacquiao’s time is over.
“For me, every legend has his end and I think that this fight with Matthysse may be the end of Pacquiao,” Dela Hoya recently told ESPN Deportes.
In Manila last April, Matthysse declared, “This is my time,” and added that Pacquiao is no longer the same fighter since being knocked out cold by Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012.
His manager, Mario Arano, said, “Manny Pacquiao’s time is over.”
Dela Hoya would want to see that happen in Kuala Lumpur on July 15.
The retired champion in six weight classes last week came to Pacquiao’s rescue, saying that the Kuala Lumpur card is moving “full steam ahead.”
Bob Arum of Top Rank, whose role in this card has been limited to broadcasting, has repeatedly aired his doubts on the fight pushing through.
Arum has cited the failure of Pacquiao’s MP Promotions to meet certain financial requirements.
But Dela Hoya said otherwise.
“That fight is going to happen without any problem,” he said.