MATTHYSSE DISCUSSES TRAINING CAMP AHEAD OF SUPER FIGHT AGAINST MANNY ‘PACMAN’ PACQUIAO
INDIO, CALIF. (May 23, 2018): Argentine knockout artist *Lucas “La
Maquina” Matthysse *(39-4, 36 KOs) discussed his training camp routine
ahead of his super fight against future Hall of Famer *Manny “Pacman”
Pacquiao *(59-7-2, 38 KOs) in a scheduled 12-round welterweight clash. The
fight, which will be for Matthysse’s WBA Welterweight World Title, will
take place Sunday, July 15 at *Axiata Arena *in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The 35-year-old champion is now entering the first stages of sparring at
the *Boys and Girls Club *in Indio, California, with head trainers Joel and
Antonio Diaz. This team of brothers oversee a training camp that includes
other fighters from the exclusive Golden Boy Promotions stable,
including *Francisco
“El Bandido” Vargas*, *Diego De La Hoya*, *Marcelino “Nino” Lopez, Vergil
Ortiz Jr., Christian “Chimpa” Gonzalez *and *Oscar Duarte. *Mario Narvaez,
who is the brother of former two-division world champion Omar “El Huracan”
Narvaez, also forms an important part of the Matthysse team, while Federico
Wittenkamp is in charge of his strength and conditioning training. For the
native of Trelew, Chubut, Argentina, this is not an ordinary training camp
as his career will be defined by the result of this highly anticipated
fight.
Matthysse’s training camp schedule consists of:
– Strength and conditioning with Federico Wittenkamp at 8:00 a.m.
– Training in the gym at 3:30 p.m.
– Sparring sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
– Mitts, strategy and boxing routine on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Matthysse had the following to say regarding his break from boxing, his
training camp, and his fight against Pacquiao:
“I have been training in the United States for about a month already after
having trained for two months in Argentina. I still have about a month and
a half left, and I’m preparing very well. We’re focused very much on this
fight, and people will see the same Lucas Matthysse as always, the one who
always looks for the action. It’s a fight that I like because of our
similar styles and because we are of the same height.
“After my last loss against Viktor Postol, I decided to take a break of
about nine months where I would do nothing but enjoy my time with my
family. I would fish, ride my motorcycle, be at home or spend time
with my friends.
I needed the time to forget about boxing and recharge my batteries so I
could start again fresh with my training.
“I’ve been a professional for several years. I’ve fought with good
fighters, and I got a lot of experience in Argentina and the United States.
Training with Joel Diaz now is something that’s really good for me. After
having lost to Postol, I wanted to return, but I didn’t know where and how.
I had known Joel Diaz for some time already, so I decided to start my
career again with him in the United States.
“I expect the same Manny Pacquiao as always. He is a respectable champion,
but I’m a champion as well. I’ve been fighting for a long time. I know he
has a lot of experience as well. It will be a great fight, and I expect to
see the same Manny Pacquiao I watched on television. Now I’m going to see
him in the ring. This is something very big for me and my career.”
*Pacquiao vs. Matthysse *is a 12-round fight for the WBA Welterweight World
Championship presented by Manny Pacquiao Promotions in association with
Golden Boy Promotions and Arano Box. The fight will take place Sunday, July
15, 2018 at Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The event will air live
in the United States on Saturday, July 14, 2018. Tickets for this event
will be announced shortly.
