MANILA, Philippines — Reigning WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse boarded a Philippine Airlines flight to Manila yesterday noon and in time for today’s formal press conference announcing his July 15 showdown with Manny Pacquiao.
Matthysse was joined in the long flight by his manager, Mario Arano, according to LA-based photo-journalist Jhay Otamias.
Oscar dela Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions, who handles the career of the Argentine champion, did not make the trip to Manila.
No reason was given for Dela Hoya’s failure to join the press conference in Manila today and in Kuala Lumpur on Friday. Instead, Golden Boy Promotions president Eric Gomez is flying in.
Pacquiao and Matthysse will come face to face this noon at the City of Dreams. Then on Thursday evening they travel to the Malaysian capital for Friday’s press conference.
Matthysse should be back in the United States on Sunday.
The 35-year-old Argentine with 36 knockouts in 39 wins said a few days ago he wants to add Pacquiao’s name to his long list of victims.
“I’m not thinking about the scorecards – I’m thinking about knocking [Pacquiao] out,” said Matthysse.
“Hopefully I can retire Manny Pacquiao. We are prepared for that, prepared to win,” he added.
Related video: