Manny Pacquiao’s fight with WBA welterweight titlist Lucas Matthysse will go on as planned on July 15 in Kuala Lumpur, despite claims that the bout is in serious jeopardy.

WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse’s trainer Joel Diaz said the other day he doesn’t expect the Argentinian’s title defense against Manny Pacquiao at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur on July 15 to go the 12-round distance because both fighters won’t back down from each other.

There’s only one thing that Manny Pacquiao’s strength coach likes about Lucas Matthysse: the welterweight champion from Argentina is beatable.

If Manny Pacquiao is indeed avoiding a showdown with newly crowned WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford, the Filipino icon is well within his rights to do so.

Former WBO minimumweight, WBO lightflyweight and IBF flyweight champion Donnie Nietes became only the third Filipino ever after Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire, Jr. to make it to the top 10 Ring Magazine pound-for-pound honor roll as he was ranked No. 9 in the latest ratings.