Pacquiao vs. Matthysse Weigh-In: Date, Start Time, Live Stream for Title Fight
July 13, 2018
Manny Pacquiao will return to the ring after more than a year out of action when he faces Lucas Matthysse for the WBA welterweight world title in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Saturday.
The weigh-in for Pacquiao's comeback bout will take place on Friday (Saturday local) at the 87,000-capacity Bukit Jalil National Stadium, while Saturday's bout will be hosted at the Axiata Arena.
Argentinian opponent Matthysse, 35, boasts an impressive 39-4 record and will be defending his WBA welterweight title for the first time, having beaten Tewa Kiram to take the then-vacant crown in January.
This will be Pac-Man's first time fighting in Asia since he defeated Chris Algieri via unanimous decision in November 2014, and it's been 19 years since the Filipino legend last lost on his home continent.
Date: Friday, July 13 (Sat., July 14 local)
Weigh-In Time: 11:30 p.m. ET/4:30 a.m. BST/11:30 a.m. local time (Sat., July 14)
Venue: Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur
Preview
Pacquiao hasn't taken an easy bout in Matthysse, who is a significant knockout threat, with 15 stoppages in his past 16 wins.
The more substantial slips for Matthysse in his career include title-fight defeats to Zab Judah, Danny Garcia and Viktor Postol down the years. Even at 39, Pacquiao will be a step up on any of those, and the Filipino star has looked in fine fettle during his training camp, as BoxingInsider.com shared:
There have been murmurs of weight-cut issues for his Argentinian opponent, however, leading to some extra spice ahead of Friday's weigh-in.
Pacquiao's conditioning coach, Justin Fortune, spoke to Abac Cordero of the Philippine Star on Tuesday regarding rumours the champion might have an issue making weight, although his remarks could be boiled down to simple mind games:
"That's what we were told. We heard he's having trouble making weight. He's eight pounds over the limit. That's good for us.
"He's wrapped in plastic as he trains.
"If you're over eight pounds at this time then you have a problem."
Golden Boy Promotions' PR director dismissed those claims, saying Matthysse was "eating very [healthily]" ahead of what will be the biggest payday of his career.
That's not to say the South American hasn't shone under the bright lights before. BoxNation shared a throwback to his 11th-round knockout of John Molina Jr. to win the WBC Continental Americas light welterweight title:
After some disruption in getting the Kuala Lumpur date confirmed, Pacquiao and Matthysse will collide in what could develop into a tough bout for Pac-Man, particularly after last summer's defeat to Jeff Horn.
Redemption for the Battle of Brisbane is up for grabs in Malaysia, but passing the weigh-in will be the first test for both fighters before they can look to impress in the ring.