Philippine senator and boxing hero Manny Pacquiao, left, and Argentine WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse pose after weigh-in n Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, July 14, 2018. Matthysse and Pacquiao were scheduled to fight on July 15, for the World Boxing Association welterweight title in Malaysia. (AP Photo/Yam G-Jun)
KUALA LUMPUR—On the ring, Lucas Matthysse will show no respect for Manny Pacquiao.
Speaking through his feisty trainer Joel Diaz, Matthysse said he will handle Pacquiao’s speed with his sheer power.
“I know that Manny is a great fighter. A legend. With speed. But Lucas is stepping to the level of position fighting the legend,” said Diaz, who handled Timothy Bradley in two of three fights against Pacquiao.
Unheard of by fans outside the boxing world, the Argentine WBA welterweight champion swore he’s in the “best shape of his life” as he takes a shot at history in fighting the global boxing megastar.
Diaz said: “At one point of the fight, they gonna exchange because they have to. If Lucas lands any punch on Pacquiao, it would hurt. I have never trained a guy that has so much power in left and right [hands].”
And no, he’s not talking about that kind of one-time knockout blow inflicted by Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012. Diaz said Matthysse will be launching from all angles to better wear down the 39-year-old legend.
“Even if he hits you in the shoulder, anywhere, he will hurt you; he’s a naturally strong human being,” said Diaz. “You hardly see any fighter like Lucas Matthysse.”
But the outspoken trainer didn’t discount the possibility of Pacquiao showing up in his old, deadly form.