Pacquiao heart ailment almost canceled fight

Argentina’s Lucas Matthysse reacts after he was knocked down by Philippines’ Manny Pacquiao during their world welterweight boxing championship bout at Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur on July 15, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Mohd RASFAN

Now it can be told: The Manny Pacquiao-Lucas Matthysse fight in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Sunday was almost shelved.

Reports from the Pacquiao camp revealed the new World Boxing Association welterweight regular champion was diagnosed with heart problems and was advised by doctors not to push through with the fight.

The 39-year-old senator underwent angiogram a week before going to Malaysia after complaining of difficulty in breathing during training in General Santos City.