Philippine senator and boxing hero Manny Pacquiao, left, and Argentine World Boxing Association welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse pose after weigh-ins in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, July 14, 2018. Matthysse and Pacquiao are scheduled to fight on July 15, for the World Boxing Association welterweight title in Malaysia. (AP Photo/Yam G-Jun)
KUALA LUMPUR — There was no beating around the bush for Manny Pacquiao as far as his plans against Lucas Matthysse on Sunday is concerned.
Pacquiao said he doesn’t intend to go the distance with Matthysse, unlike 12 of his last 13 fights.
“Our plan is to move side-to-side, throw a lot of punches and of course, if given a chance, finish the fight early,” said Pacquiao after the official weigh-in at Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre here.
The 39-year-old Pacquiao won’t force anything but he is determined to finally end his knockout drought that started in March 2010 against Antonio Margarito.
The last opponent who didn’t last long against Pacquiao was Miguel Cotto, who was stopped 55 seconds into the 12th round.
The eight-division champion is gunning for his 60th win and 12th title overall against Matthysse, who is defending his WBA welterweight title for the first time.
Both fighters were comfortably below the 147-pound limit when they stepped on a scale Saturday ahead of their match, dubbed the “Fight of Champions.”
An 11-time champion across eight divisions, Pacquiao weighed in at a trim 146 pounds while Matthysse tipped the scales at 146.7 pounds.
Beating the Argentine champion, however, won’t be an easy task for Pacquiao.
Matthysse possesses knockout power in either hand with the record to back it up as 36 out of 39 fights have ended in KOs.
Beating the Argentine champion, however, won’t be an easy task for Pacquiao.
Matthysse possesses knockout power in either hand with the record to back it up as 36 out of 39 fights have ended in KOs.
“I know Manny Pacquiao brings an intense energy in a fight, so we are ready for that. All we need to do is just to keep composed, make sure that he is ready to catch Manny at the right time and have no respect for Manny,” Matthysse’s trainer, Joel Diaz, told The Associated Press after the weigh-in.
The main advantage for Matthysse, known by his nickname “The Machine” for winning 36 out of his 39 matches by knockout, is his strength and ability to deliver power punches from both hands, Diaz said.
“All I can say is this … it’s not going to be an easy fight for Manny Pacquiao. If Lucas lands any punches on Pacquiao, he will hurt him because he hits real hard,” Diaz added.
“Lucas Matthysse is stepping up to the level of opposition. He’s fighting against a legend and he’s in the best shape of his life. Everything is at stake for him. He is defending his title and secondly, he knows by beating Manny Pacquiao, it will be in the history books.”