In almost his entire 23-year boxing career, no one has heard multi-division world champion Manny Pacquiao speak highly about his own chances against an opponent.
 
Such cannot be said this time as the fighting senator, in a rare show of confidence, recently stated his readiness to score a victory over Argentinean world champion Lucas Matthysse.
 
Weeks after acknowledging his talks with American fight promoter Bob Arum about a potential clash with Ukranian sensation Vasyl Lomachenko before the end of the year, Pacquiao now strongly claims an advantage over Matthysse in a crucial aspect of their respective skills.
 
“Mas mabilis naman tayo di hamak sa kaniya. Pero malakas din siya. Champion,” Pacquiao said during a recent break in his training camp in General Santos City.  
 
Speed has always been Pacquiao’s main weapon more than his supposed punching power as evidenced by his success in the tough 147-pound division where, despite scoring only two knockouts as a welterweight, claimed the pound-for-pound throne because of the one-sided results of all his victories.
 
As an elite 147-pound fighter, Pacquiao tallied an 11-4 win-loss record in his 15-fight welterweight campaign.
 
Pacquiao’s success however can also be attributed to the way he enjoys training inside the gym where every single day, his demeanor comparable to that of a kid having a grand time at a playground.
 
“Yung determination niya ngayon is parang determination ng isang gutom na challenger. Sabi nga nila eight-division world champion pero wala siyang ganung attitude,” said first-time “Pacman” trainer Nonito Donaire Sr. 

“Iba ang focus niya sa training kahit na sinasabing kayang-kaya niya si Matthysse. Hindi siya nagpapabaya kahit na isang araw.”
 
The 39-year-old Pacquiao, who will be aiming for the WBA welterweight crown held my Matthysse, is scheduled to leave Monday afternoon for Kuala Lumpur, site of his 12-round battle opposite Matthysse.
 
There will be no Monday break for Pacquiao, though, as he is slated to spar for a few more rounds hours before he boards a chartered flight from his hometown to Malaysia.
 
Matthysse is Pacquiao’s first assignment since a disputed decision loss to Australian Jeff Horn in their 12-round WBO world welterweight battle in Brisbane, Australia, in July 2017.

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