Pacquiao as a counterpuncher? It's possible vs Matthysse, says Buboy

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Manny Pacquiao has long been known for his aggressive style in the boxing ring.

Now expect to see the Filipino icon taking on a different approach in his shot at the WBA welterweight championship held by Argentinean Lucas Matthysse.

Pacquiao’s new head trainer and childhood buddy Buboy Fernandez said Pacquiao will try to play the role of a counterpuncher against Matthysse on Sunday.

“Tayo ang ka-counter. Antayin natin silang gumawa ng aksyon (We will be the one to counter. We will wait for them to create action),” Fernandez told Filipino scribes Tuesday at the Le Meridian hotel here, right after Pacquiao and Matthysse made their grand arrival.

Interestingly, Matthysse’s camp earlier said they will follow the blueprint of Juan Manuel Marquez — Pacquiao’s archrival whose counterpunching style worked best against the Filipino icon — and lure Pacquiao into traps.

That’s why this time, the marching order for Pacquiao would be to box Matthysse and try to frustrate the defending champion.

“Hindi tayo papasok basta basta. Kumbaga lalaruin muna natin. Papasukin natin doon sa isang game plan na lalabas yung pagkapikon niya (We won’t just go in and attack. We will take it easy at first. We will turn to that game plan wherein we’ll end up frustrating him),” Fernandez continued.

“Nakikita ko yung gusto nilang mangyari na timing. Tayo naman ang pinagaralan natin, sila ang gumawa ng akyson, tayo ang hihintay (I see that they plan to time Pacquiao with counters. But for us, we’ll wait for them to create action),” he added.

Fernandez took over as Pacquiao’s lead trainer from Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s longtime cornerman who was relegated to a spectator after Pacquiao decided to not use his services for the Matthysse bout.

Working with Fernandez are his brother Roger Fernandez, Nonoy Neri and Nonito Donaire Sr. as assistants, and Justin Fortune as Pacquiao’s strength and conditioning coach.

Fernandez is confident of the job he did with his best friend.

“Abangan nila yung pagbabalik ng 'Storm from the Pacific.' Kung lumihis man yung bagyo na pumasok sa Pilipinas, ito talagang papasok (Wait for the return of the “Storm from the Pacific.” If the recent storm missed hitting the Philippines, this one won’t),” he closed.