Argentine WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse answers questions from reporters during a press conference in Manila, Philippines on Wednesday, April 18, 2018. Matthysee will fight against Philippine senator and boxing hero Manny Pacquiao on July 15 in a WBA welterweight title fight in Malaysia. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
World champion Lucas Matthysse on Wednesday vowed a fight “to the death” in his July title defense against Manny Pacquiao, describing the Philippine boxing legend a diminished star.
But the 35-year-old Argentine — who took the vacant World Boxing Association welterweight title in January — said it was still a “dream-come-true” and “an honor” to face Pacquiao, winner of eight unprecedented world titles in different weight classes.
READ: Pacquiao out to prove he’s not yet done, but Matthysse says his time is now
“Obviously he is still a very great fighter but since the knockout of Marquez, I think he is not the same fighter anymore,” Matthysse said at a joint news conference in Manila, referring to the Filipino’s sensational 2012 knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez.
“He is not in his prime anymore,” the Argentine added.
Pacquiao, 39, will fight Matthysse for the WBA welterweight belt on July 15 in Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur.
The Filipino has 59 wins with 38 knockouts in his career, and is currently a senator in the Philippine parliament.
READ: Visitor seeks honorable end to Pacquiao career
Many in the country believe he will one day run for president, but Pacquiao has insisted that he is happier in the ring than in politics.
But Matthysse — who has 39 wins with 36 knockouts in 43 matches — said he was not fazed by the status of his opponent.
“Sure, Manny has won so many titles… I (have) only won one title. I am not going to give it up. I will die for it if I have to,” he said.
“I will defend this title to the death.”
Pacquiao has not fought since he lost his World Boxing Organization welterweight crown in a shock points defeat to Australia’s Jeff Horn last year, and has not knocked out an opponent in nearly nine years.
He insisted, however, that he was far from finished.
“That is what I am trying to prove this coming July 15 that Manny Pacquiao is not done yet in boxing,” he said.
“I keep on fighting because boxing is my passion and I love raising the flag of the Philippines.”