MANILA – Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao is determined to pull off a huge upset when he faces World Boxing Association welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse of Argentina on Sunday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The eight-division world boxing champion said he studied the tendencies of Matthysse well – he already knows what to do to snatch the win.
“Alam ko naman na ako ang underdog sa laban na ito pero sanay na ako,” Pacquiao said. “Sa katunayan nga motivation para sa akin na underdog ako kaya nag-train hard ako.”
“This is going to be a tough fight kasi si Matthysse kilalang knockout artist,” he added. “Kaya siya ang pinili kong makalaban kasi gusto ko iyong aggressive fighting style niya at hindi siya dirty player.”
According to Pacquiao, what inspires him more ahead of his title fight is the legion of Filipino fans based in Malaysia who will watch in Axiata Arena.
“I’m really elated and excited that after more than a year, here I am again doing our country honor through the only thing I know how – boxing,” Pacquiao said. “Alam na naman (ng mga Pilipino) iyan at sa tulong ng Maykapal, papalarin tayong manalo.”
This is Pacquiao’s first fight since his controversial defeat to Australian Jeff Horn in July last year and his first fight in Asia since beating Chris Algieri in Macau in 2014.
The 39-year-old fighting senator will enter the match with a 59-7-2 win-loss-draw slate including 38 knockout wins while Matthysse has a 39-4-0 record with 36 stoppage victories./PN
