HALOS tapos na ang tatlong buwang pagsasanay ni WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse sa Indio, California kaya handang handa siya sa laban kay eight division beltholder Manny Pacquiao sa Hulyo 15 sa Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Magsasadya ngayon si Matthysse sa Malaysia kasama ang kanyang trainer na si Joel Diaz at umaasang tatamaan ng isang matinding kanan ang Pilipino sa kanilang laban.

“We already completed the heavier part of the preparation and I feel very good. I did the weight well, so I’m more than satisfied. It was three long, hard months, but I’m happy. I have not gotten on the plane yet but I’m looking forward to it,” sabi ni Matthysse sa BoxingScene.com.

“I always expected a big fight like this. Before I looked at him and wanted to face him. Now he’s being given to me and I’m the one who is defending the title,” diin ni Matthysse. “This is what I dreamed about when I started to box professionally - to be a champion, but not all of this. I did not imagine that I would have had the type of run that I’ve had in the United States or having achieved what I achieved.”

Goodbye PBA? John Amores, tinanggalan na ng professional license!

Para sa Argentinian, ang laban kay Pacquiao ang matagal na niyang pinakahihintay.

“I was for many years looking for the belt and I know that certain champions make some less risky defenses, but a fight against Pacquiao is not always given to you, so I grabbed it with pleasure,” ani Matthysse. “For me, fighting with him is something very big. All the fights are risky. I know that I’m going to his house now. Many wonder why I didn’t make a quieter defense, but this is my opportunity and I have to measure myself.”

Naniniwala rin si Matthysse na may kakayahan siya para patulugin ang Filipino boxer sa kanilang sagupaan.

“He’ll be moving around from the first round. I have two strong hands and he moves very well. Maybe he’s going to box from the outside, but at any moment he can come forward. He is not the same as he was a few years ago, but he always prepared very well for his fights,” dagdag ni Matthysse. “I plan to look good, win, returning to my city with the belt. A good right hand can end the fight. But I can also set the outcome with the left, like the last one.”