KUALA LUMPUR: Boxer Manny Pacquiao insists that his fight against Argentine Lucas Matthysse has not been overshadowed by the Russia World Cup.
The Filipino legend is also the promoter of the fight on Sunday at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.
Pacquiao aka PacMan, said the boxing event has generated its own buzz.
“It’s the right time. I’m also watching football, the World Cup and supporting some teams and the promotion is not competing with them. It’s trying to promote boxing in Asia and bring the big fights here,” he said today.
The Pacquiao-Lucas Matthysse showdown will be the biggest boxing match in Malaysia since the Muhammad Ali-Joe Bugner’s clash in 1975.
“Being a fighter and a promoter for this fight is not easy, and it will take more time to do a lot of things but the good thing is, I have people around me doing things for the event and are doing a good job.
“They work hard, night and day and I am thankful to have the people around me who are workaholics,” said Pacquiao.
The 39-year-old Filipino senator declined to disclose his approach and strategy to the media today.
“My strategy, I have a lot but I just want to make sure I’m going left and right,” said Pacquiao, who is braced for a toe-to-toe battle against Matthysse.
Pacquiao aims to strip 35-year-old Matthyse’s World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight world title.
Three more world titles will be at stake on Sunday (starting from 8am). Undefeated Filipino Jhack Tepora will challenge Edivaldo Ortega of Mexico (12-round featherweight) while Venezuela’s Carlos Canizales will stake his light flyweight belt against China’s Lu Bin, and Moruthi Mthlane will face Muhammad Waseem of Pakistan for the vacant IBF flyweight title.
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