By Sev Sarkisian: Legend, icon and future hall of famer Manny Pacquiao (59-7-2) will make his
long-awaited return to the ring this summer in a blockbuster matchup against hard-hitting
reigning WBA world welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse (39-4) on July 14 th (US Time). This
global event will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and is promoted by Manny Pacquiao
Promotions in association with Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions. This event will be
available exclusively on ESPN+ app in the United States.
Manny Pacquiao is undoubtedly one of the best fighters of this generation and to this day one
of the biggest stars in the sport. He is also one of the most exciting fighters to watch, the
Filipino legend is never in a dull fight and has always been an offensive-minded fighter
throughout his entire career. Stylistically, Pacquiao is an in and out fighter with high punch
volume and blazing hand speed. He fights out of the southpaw stance and is about 5’5 in
height and possesses a 67” reach. He currently has arguably the most impressive resume in the
sport out of any current active boxer. He holds wins over the likes of Erik Morales (twice),
Marco Antonio Barrera (twice), Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto, Juan Manuel Marquez (twice),
Antonio Margarito and many more. Pacquiao is going into this big fight at the advanced age of
39 and over a year layoff from the sport. He is also preparing for this fight without longtime
head trainer Freddy Roach and is using his best friend and longtime second Buboy. However,
given all of these major factors going on, he seems to be looking sharp and fast in all the training
footage I have seen of him getting ready for this fight.
Lucas Matthysse, on the other hand, is a true knockout artist with power in both hands.
Matthysse is also one of the best Jr welterweights of this generation and has now moved up to
welterweight and captured a vacant title in his last fight. Matthysse holds quality wins over the
likes of Lamont Peterson, John Molina, Ruslan Provodnikov, Emmanuel Taylor and many others.
However, I believe Matthysse might just be a little too slow to win enough rounds to get a
decision win over Pacquiao. I believe if Matthysse is going to win it will have to be with a
knockout, which is obviously possible given the fact that Lucas has the has the eraser in his
hands. I am certainly looking forward to this fight and expect to see an explosive fight given the
circumstances around this fight and the two styles.