Matthysse working to keep weight

MANILA, Philippines – WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse will spend the rest of fight week maintaining the optimum weight for his clash with Manny Pacquiao at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Sunday.

The 35-year-old pride of Chubut, Argentina should have no problems making the 147-pound limit in time for the official weigh-in Saturday, and he spent the weekend in Kuala Lumpur putting in some more hard work.

Ramiro Gonzalez, head of public relations for Golden Boy Promotions, which handles Matthysse, said the defending champion duked it out in sparring with Mexican journeyman Marvin Quintero.

Quintero, 31, holds a record of 30-8 (with 25 KOs) and is a southpaw like Pacquiao. He flew in with Matthysse’s lean entourage that arrived in the Southeast Asian nation last Thursday, just in time for the Argentine boxer to acclimatize.

“Last Saturday, he (Matthysse) finished with 10 explosive rounds with Marvin Quintero,” Gonzalez told Filipino mediamen via a text message from Kuala Lumpur.

Sources said Matthysse will stay away from the limelight and will not speak to the media until the final press conference sometime on Friday, leaving Gonzalez to keep reporters up to date with information.

“Matthysse will keep working to maintain the weight,” Gonzalez added.

Team Matthysse pose for a photo. MP Promotions

Making up the rest of Team Matthysse are manager Mario Arano, conditioning coach Federico Wittenamp, training assistants Mario Narvaez and Marcelino Lopez, Matthysse’s nephew Ezequiel Matthysse, and head trainer Joel Diaz.

Diaz, who trained Timothy Bradley for two fights against Pacquiao, will also serve as Matthysse’s cutman.

Pacquiao, for his part, is expected to arrive in Kuala Lumpur Monday onboard a chartered flight from General Santos City, bringing with him a huge entourage composed of his team, relatives and supporters.