If impressive against Matthysse, Pacquiao eyes Lomachenko fight

Philippine senator and boxing hero Manny Pacquiao, left, delivers his speech while Argentine WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse, right, listens during a press conference in Manila, Philippines on Wednesday, April 18, 2018. The two are scheduled to fight on July 15 in a World Boxing Association welterweight title fight in Malaysia. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Manny Pacquiao has had Vasyl Lomachenko on his radar for quite some time and a potential showdown against the Ukrainian champion could eventually happen later this year.

Given that both fighters hurdle their upcoming bouts.

Lomachenko is scheduled to face Jorge Linares on May 12 at Madison Square Garden in New York while Pacquiao is set to challenge Lucas Matthysse for the WBA welterweight title on July 15 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

“[The fight against Matthysse] sets up a potential big fight that Manny’s been talking about and that’s against Lomachenko,” said Michael Koncz, Pacquiao’s longtime adviser.

For it to happen, the moving parts have to fall into place and the most crucial component is for Pacquiao to impress against the “dangerous” Matthysse.

“We’re not overlooking it because we have a live opponent. It’s not a Brandon Rios of that type of opponent so we’re gonna focus on this fight,” he said. “But the whole goal is that we look very impressive, we walk away with a win, nobody gets injured and we fight Loma in the fall.”

“If we can’t be successful here and have a good showing, how am I going to convince Lomachenko to fight?”

Koncz sees the possible Pacquiao-Lomachenko bout as a big hit.

“Lomachenko and Manny. There’s a lot of intriguing things in that fight. Lomachenko’s much younger, he’s very talented, he’s got speed, he’s got knowledge and Manny’s Manny. I think that fight can generate a million buys in pay-per-view.”

Koncz said the fight would be at 140 pounds and could take place in November.