Boxing: Manny Pacquiao arrives in Kuala Lumpur for Lucas Matthysse fight

Eight-division boxing champion Manny Pacquiao arrived the Malaysian capital on Monday night, pronouncing himself ready for Sunday's WBA welterweight title fight against Lucas Matthysse.

After a direct flight from Gen. Santos City, Philippines where he conducted his training camp, Pacquiao arrived at Le Meridien hotel in downtown Kuala Lumpur at around 9 p.m. local time with a huge throng of Philippine media waiting for him.

"I'm feeling good," said Pacquiao. "I had a great camp. I'd like to thank my MP Promotions team. I want to give them an award for doing such a good job."

Pacquiao's MP Promotions spearheaded the production of the card, which will feature two other title fights. It marks the first time in a long time that Top Rank, Pacquiao's longtime promoter, was not involved in one of his fights, although Bob Arum's outfit handled the U.S. distribution.

Pacquiao will challenge Argentina's Matthysse for the WBA "regular" welterweight belt on Sunday at the Axiata Arena. The fight will air on free TV on ESPN5 with telecast starting at 10 a.m. and will stream live on ESPN+ in the United States.

This bout will also mark the first time in 17 years that Freddie Roach will not be in Pacquiao's corner. Instead, Pacquiao tapped longtime friend Buboy Fernandez to handle his training. Pacquiao said training went fine.

"I got a tan because I've been training a lot outdoors in GenSan," he joked.

Pacquiao also thanked the Malaysian government for helping make the card, the first major boxing event in the country in 43 years, a reality.

He promised that several personalities will be flying in from all over the world to watch the fight on Sunday.




ESPN

Related News

500
Leave a comment...