‘Comfortable’ Matthysse calls Malaysia home as Pacquiao fight nears

Lucas Matthysse during his grand arrival at Le Meridien in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Mark Giongco/INQUIRER.net

KUALA LUMPUR — The drums rolled and cameras flashed signaling the grand arrival of Lucas Matthysse at Le Meridien, a luxury hotel in downtown Kuala Lumpur.

Filipino and Malaysian media scrambled just to get a decent shot of the Argentine boxing champion as he walked on the red carpet.

Matthysse arrived in the Malaysian capital a week ago for his welterweight title fight against boxing legend Manny Pacquiao and he already feels very much at ease.

Matthysse camp releases this video instead thru MP Promotions | @marcreyesINQ pic.twitter.com/JZ7fNzcSE2

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) July 10, 2018

“I’ve been preparing for this (fight). I feel like Malaysia’s my home. I feel happy to be here,” Matthysse said through an interpreter during a media scrum on Tuesday.

“We trained really, really hard for this fight. I feel comfortable here in Malaysia so I’m ready to give my best.”

The 35-year-old Matthysse flew to Malaysia on Thursday after a grueling 18-hour flight from Los Angeles.

WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse has arrived. pic.twitter.com/x4du89sL9q

— Mark Giongco (@MarkGiongcoINQ) July 10, 2018

Matthysse, the current WBA titleholder, planed in early to get himself accustomed to the tropical weather.

Pacquiao and Matthysse headlines “The Fight of Champions” set on July 15 at Axiata Arena here.