Boxing News: Lucas Matthysse in line to fight Manny Pacquiao next year, says Oscar De La Hoya
Manny Pacquiao has yet to pick an opponent in his comeback fight in 2016, but Top Rank Promotions boss Bob Arum has already presented possible foes for the Filipino boxer's ring return. Amir Khan was reportedly the leading candidate to land a fight with Pacquiao in February or April next year, but Golden Boy Promotions chief executive Oscar De La Hoya believes his fighter Lucas Matthysse would get the fight against the former eight-division titlist.
Matthysse (34-3, 30KOs) is set to fight Ukraine’s undefeated Viktor Postol (27-0, 11KOs) on Oct. 3 at the StubHub Centre in California for the vacant WBC junior welterweight title. The Argentine slugger has been on a hot-streak after victories over John Molina, Roberto Ortiz, and Russia’s Ruslan Provodinkov. De La Hoya is convinced a win on Saturday against Postol could land Matthysse a blockbuster bout, which is likely against a returning Pacquiao.
“There’s no question, it’s a very important fight for him [Matthysse],” De La Hoya told Boxing Scene . “I strongly feel if Lucas Matthysse impresses, he’s in line to face Manny Pacquiao next year.”
De La Hoya also expressed how he feels if Matthysse indeed gets the bout with Pacquiao next year. De La Hoya said a Matthysse-Pacquiao fight card would “no doubt” call for a fight of the year clash.
“Manny Pacquiao's style and Lucas Matthysse's style calls for another Fight of the Year,” De La Hoya said, reports Doghouse Boxing . “I mean there is no doubt about it."
Pacquiao, who has a record of 56 wins, six losses, and two draws, has been recovering from a torn rotator cuff on his right shoulder suffered in a match against Floyd Mayweather Jr in May. While Arum has confirmed a possible fight between Pacquiao and British fighter Khan is currently under negotiation, fighting Matthysse would also be as entertaining as a clash against the Bolton welterweight.
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