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Manny Pacquiao's business manager dismisses rumours that title fight against WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse has been scrapped.
KUALA LUMPUR: The promotional outfit of boxing great Manny Pacquiao has assured that the highly anticipated fight between the Filipino star and World Boxing Association welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse is “100% on” despite rumours that it could be cancelled over financial issues.
Arnold Vegafria.
“I don’t know where the rumours came from or who said it. It’s impossible,” MP Promotions head of business Arnold Vegafria told FMT.
He added that the “Fight of Champions” would take place as planned on July 15 from 8am to 2pm at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur.
Dismissing the rumours over financial issues relating to the fight, Vegafria said they had fulfilled the requirements of Top Rank, which is responsible for the production of broadcasting, two weeks ago.
Payments to Golden Boy, which manages Matthysse, had also been adhered to as stipulated in the contract, he added.
On the fight’s lack of promotion in North America, Vegafria said the matter came under Top Rank.
“That is their responsibility. I’m not sure why it didn’t really happen, but they’ve started the promotions,” he said, adding that the television broadcast of the fight in the US, US territories and Canada also came under Top Rank.
In those areas, coverage of the fight will be available on a pay-per-view basis as well as online, with more details to come soon.
Vegafria said a total of 270 countries would be covering the fight, with some 70% of tickets already sold out.
“There’s been a lot of foreign interest from the US, UK, Singapore, Japan and more.”
Pacquiao, 39, is the only eight-division world champion in boxing history. He will be looking to win his ninth title while Matthysse, 35, will be defending his title for the first time since winning it in January.
ESPN
Manny Pacquiao says fight with Lucas Matthysse will happen
27 Jun, 2018
Carlo Pamintuan
Manny Pacquiao is still set to challenge WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse on July 15 at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, according to Pacquiao's MP Promotions.
Despite Bob Arum's comments that the fight might not happen due to financial issues, the eight-division champion's camp released a statement saying that everything is fine.
"Everyone is on board. Everyone understands the situation and the fight is going as planned," said MP Promotions Marketing and Sales Head Arnold Vegafria.
In an interview with ESPN's Dan Rafael, Arum mentioned the possibility of the fight card being canceled and that he'd want to Matthysse to fight Top Rank Promotions' WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford.
"As far as I am concerned, everything is fine," Pacquiao stated. "Lucas Matthysse and I are getting ready to give the fans their money's worth and July 15 will be huge for boxing in Malaysia."
Arum and Top Rank, Pacquiao's long-time promoter, is only handling the American television distribution, while Pacquiao's MP Promotions is the promoter of the event
During a press conference for the fight in April, it became clear that the relationship between Top Rank and MP Promotions wasn't cordial.
"MP Promotions can do it, Bob!" he said, underlining the number of local and international media members present to cover the event.Mike Koncz, one of Pacquiao's advisers, sent a message to Arum during the press conference.
Pacquiao's training in General Santos City kicks into higher gear as he is expected to spar 12 rounds this week.
"I would say he is already 85 percent ready and we don't want him to peak too soon," said head trainer Buboy Fernandez.
"He is right there where we want him to be right now," said American Justin Fortune who is in General Santos City to help out.
Aside from the WBA welterweight belt, three more world titles will be up for grabs on July 15 at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Undefeated Filipino fighter Jhack Tepora will challenge Edivaldo Ortega of Mexico in a 12-round featherweight title, Carlos Canizales of Venezuela will stake his WBA light flyweight championship against China's Lu Bin, and former Nonito Donaire victim Moruthi Mthlane will face Muhammad Waseem of Pakistan for the vacant IBF flyweight title.
