By Dennis Principe • Nick Giongco
Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is looking at not one but two tough fights for his ring return this year.
The 39-year-old Pacquiao, the main speaker during the 18th Gabriel ‘Flash’ Elorde Memorial Awards and Banquet of Champions Sunday night at the Okada Hotel in Pasay City revealed his plans to negotiate with Top Rank big boss Bob Arum regarding a late 2018 bout against two-division world champion Vasyl Lomachenko of Ukraine.
But before Lomachenko, Pacquiao will first meet WBA welterweight kingpin Lucas Matthysse of Argentina were the fighting senator’s MP Promotions will be handling the promotions.
His fight with Matthysse is set on July 8 in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.
“We are giving way to Ramadan,” said Pacquiao, adding that the Muslim Festival will take place from May 16 until June 14.
“Mag-uusap kami ni Bob para sa Lomachenko fight. Itong sa Malaysia, MP promotions ang hahawak pero welcome naman si Bob sa promotion. Sure na kami sa Malaysia ang next fight” said a beaming Pacquiao.
Pacquiao meantime shrugged off insinuations about the potential threat posed by the 35-year-old Matthysse who has recorded 36 knockouts in 39 victories and has suffered only four losses in his 14-year career.
“Para hindi nlia sabihin na tune-up fight. Maganda ito kasi yan naman ang gusto ng mga tao. Magandang laban,” added Pacquiao.
