By Nick Giongco
Argentine champion Lucas Matthysse swears his punches pack more power than those of Manny Pacquiao and it will play a big role in his first defense of the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title on July 15 in Malaysia.
Before boarding the Philippine Airlines jet bound for Manila from Los Angeles, Matthysse told boxingscene that the Filipino star “is totally beatable.”
Matthysse, a hard hitter, likewise insists that while Pacquiao is no longer the dazzling fighter of old, he remains a “very dangerous fighter.”
But since they are almost of the same height, Matthysse feels he will benefit strongly when they stand toe-to-toe.
With us having the same height, there will come a shock – because there I can get a lot of advantages because I have a heavier hand than him,” he said.
Matthysse is arriving at 6 am alongside manager Mario Arano and Golden Boy Promotions executive Eric Gomez and ace publicist Ramiro Gonzalez. Also on the same flight is Pacquiao’s Canadian adviser Mike Koncz.
GBP head Oscar De La Hoya decided at the last minute to stay in the US.
Matthysse and Pacquiao are hosting a press conference at 11am today at the City of Dreams, the first of two media appearances scheduled in the next three days.
On Friday, another press conference is slated to take place in Kuala Lumpur with Pacquiao and Matthysse and the other major players in attendance.
Matthysse, 35, is Pacquiao’s personal choice as foe for his comeback bout.
Pacquiao, 39, insists that the South American’s willingness to trade blows from afar and at close range, should make their fight an epic.
