We have a fight.”
Legendary Oscar de la Hoya stated that firmly to quash rumors about the world welterweight championship fight between Manny Pacquiao and Lucas Matthysse in Kuala Lumpur not taking place.
The championship is slated on July 15 and De La Hoya said he will be in Kuala Lumpur to help Pacquiao promote the event.
“I have my plane tickets already, so we’re ready to go,” he told Steve Kim of BoxingScene.com.
De La Hoya did not have to go out of his way to affirm the staging of the championship. But Bob Arum fanned rumors about the event being canceled due to some financial hassles and the MP Promotions’ failure to meet money commitment deadlines.
De La Hoya, who handles Matthysse, is an identified partner of Pacquiao in the KL promotion.
He said: “Arum is talking about Lucas Matthysse. Look, we have a fight with Pacquiao coming up within three weeks. He’s looking strong. He’s looking great. Looking forward to it and the fight is in full steam ahead.”
Here at home, commercials on the KL championship have started appearing on television over the weekend.
Pacquiao himself said there’ll be no stopping the fight.
“I’m trying my best with the help of God to make the fight a success. I also pray for my detractors that God may enlighten their minds and soften their hearts,” Pacquiao said.
When doubts were raised over the KL championship, Pacquiao made it clear he’s in direct communication with Matthysse and that they were both very excited about their title bout.
It was reported that MP Promotions has paid Matthysse $500,000 as part of the agreed $2.5 million purse.
The money was supposed to be deposited in escrow a month back yet. But boxing people in the know said MP Promotions will have until the weigh-in to deliver the full purse.