After a year on the sidelines, legendary Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao will return to the ring this summer. The Pacman is scheduled to fight WBA welterweight champion Lucas Henry Matthysse who is defending his title. Although most people thought that Pacquiao will retire following his defeat to Jeff Horn last year, the Filipino boxer has vowed to continue with his boxing career despite his age.
The Pacquiao vs. Matthysse fight is scheduled for July 15 and will take place at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur. The date is set, but the event has been shrouded in controversy in the past few months. After being announced in January this year, the fight is supposedly in jeopardy due to financial problems. As many media outlets reported, Pacquiao’s promotion company MP Promotions owes Matthysse’s promotion company Golden Boy $2,000,000, sparking much speculation about the bout.
Luckily, Golden Boy’s founder Oscar De La Hoya has reached out to the media confirming that the fight is still on and that the financial issues will be quickly resolved.
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Manny Pacquiao is a true boxing legend – he’s the only boxer who was world champion in 8 boxing divisions and the only boxer to win a title in 4 out of the 8 original boxing classes – flyweight, featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight. His last match came in July 2017 when he lost to Jeff Horn in a controversial match which was rescored in favour of Horn by the WBO.
The odds are great just like the specials, which makes SportPesa one of the favourite bookies in the UK at the moment. Of course, SportPesa offers betting on the Pacquiao vs. Not surprisingly, the Filipino boxer is once again the favourite, being given odds of 4/9. Matthyse’s odds stand at 8/5 and are much more enticing if you. Manny Pacquiao (59-7-2, 38 KOs) vs. Lucas Matthysse (39-4, 36 KOs) When: Saturday, July 14, 2018 Where: Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia TV: PPV Weight Class: WBA World Welterweight Title by Scott of Predictem.com Betting Odds: Manny Pacquiao (-185), Lucas Matthysse (+160) Fight Analysis: On July 15, all-time great Manny Pacquiao returns to the ring.
Pacquiao will face Argentine boxer Lucas Henry Matthysse who is the current WBA Regular welterweight champion. Matthysse won the title by defeating Tewa Kiram in January 2018 and will now defend it against one of the most successful boxers of all time. The fight will certainly be one to watch, with the Axiata Arena all but sold out.
BetEast
Following a sponsorship deal with Premier League team Swansea City, BetEast built a reputation which speaks for itself. The bookie offers competitive odds and a great selection of sports and sporting markets which will satisfy any punters. Although there’s no welcome bonus at the moment, BetEast features a few special offers which are enticing enough to try.
For the Matthysse vs. Pacquiao fight, BetEast’s odds go in favour of the Filipino boxer. Pacquiao’s odds stand at 4/9, while Matthysse is given odds of 8/5. It’s clear that this bookie is certain that The Pacman has better odds of winning the bout, but we’re not really excited by the odds. On the other hand, Matthyse’s odds are great. Betting on the Argentine boxer will nearly triple your investment, which is surely more exciting than getting almost nothing in return by putting money on Pacquiao.
Unfortunately, BetEast doesn’t offer any other market for the July 15 fight at the moment.
Fun88
Fun88 is one of the best bookmakers in today’s crowded online betting market. It’s not easy to break through the heavy competition featuring betting giants, but Fun88 has managed to exceed all expectations, even becoming a household name due to recent sponsorship deals with Premier League clubs. The bookmaker has a nice collection of sports you can bet on and it’s fair to say that the odds are attractive as well. The live betting option and the interesting promos certainly add a nice touch to this popular bookie.
Fun88 favours Manny Pacquiao to win the fight against Matthysse, giving the Filipino boxer odds of 4/9 over Matthysse’s 8/5. This means that the bookie feels that Matthysse can certainly stand his ground vs. Pacquiao. The odds for The Pacman aren’t that enticing, but the odds for the Argentine boxer can bring you a small fortune in return for a reasonable bet.
If you’ve been planning on betting on the bout, think about betting on Matthysse – he’s the current WBO welterweight champion who won’t go down without a fight.
SportPesa
Thanks to the variety of sporting markets and sport sponsorship deals, SportPesa has become a household name in the betting industry. The bookie offers betting on many sports events and even elections, meaning that they have something for both occasional and experienced punters. The odds are great just like the specials, which makes SportPesa one of the favourite bookies in the UK at the moment.
Of course, SportPesa offers betting on the Pacquiao vs. Matthysse bout. Not surprisingly, the Filipino boxer is once again the favourite, being given odds of 4/9. Matthyse’s odds stand at 8/5 and are much more enticing if you ask us. The Argentine boxer is known for his aggressive style and great punching power which can create problems for The Pacman. Plus, he’s younger than Pacquiao, which is another factor that goes in his favour.
At 8/5, placing a reasonable bet on Matthysse may bring you a nice sum of money in return.
LV BET
Featuring a large collection of sports and sporting markets as well as virtual sports and a casino, LV BET is one of the most popular bookies in the UK. The bookie offers the already standard welcome bonus offer as well as promotions for the World Cup and other sports events which are sure to interest many punters. If you stay loyal to LV BET, you can win their so-called LV Points which you can later exchange for money.
When it comes to the Matthysse vs. Pacquiao bout, the odds at LV BET are slightly different. Pacquiao is still the favourite with odds of 12/25, while Matthysse stands at 3/2. The interesting thing is that LV BET also offers betting on the match to end in a draw at odds of 21/1 – if you bet on this option and the match ends in a draw, you will load your pockets with money.
If you ask us, we’d go for the draw or a bet on Matthysse, as Pacquiao’s odds are simply not attractive enough.
EnergyBet
Even though the bookie is relatively new on the British betting scene, EnergyBet has already attracted much attention from thousands of punters. Besides the great sporting markets and the standard newcomer bonus offer, EnergyBet features a load of promotions for football fans which can help you reel in big money. No matter if you’re a fresh punter or a more experienced one, you’ll surely going to love EnergyBet.
This bookie doesn’t provide surprises when it comes to the Matthyse vs. Pacquiao fight – the Filipino boxer is still the favourite, with odds of 12/25 vs. Matthysse’s 3/2. EnergyBet also gives you the option to bet on a draw for the match at odds of 21/1 – it’s quite an attractive option as most experts can’t decide between the boxers at the moment even if the odds don’t reflect it.
Bet on the draw or Matthysse and you may be a rich man by the middle of July.
At this point, it's the only question worth asking: Who will win Saturday night's welterweight world title fight between Lucas Matthysse and Manny Pacquiao? Our experts make their picks.
Dan Rafael
ESPN.com
Pacquiao by decision
Good fight between two exciting fighters, but it's hard to pick against Pacquiao, who deserved the win in his previous fight against Jeff Horn. Matthysse didn't look good in his fight in January. Pacquiao hasn't had a KO since 2009, so I will go with Pacquiao by decision.
Nick Parkinson
ESPN UK
Pacquiao by decision
Pacquiao showed signs of decline in his previous fight, and his political career now takes up a lot of his time. But he will just about have enough in his legs to subdue Matthysse in a close decision.
Teddy Atlas
ESPN TV
Pacquiao by decision
Pacquiao wins a sloppy and ugly decision between two used-up relics.
Nigel Collins
ESPN.com
Pacquiao by decision
If Pacman has the legs, he can outmaneuver Matthysse by boxing on the outside and employing a darting in-and-out attack. Staying in the pocket too long or standing toe-to-toe would be inviting disaster.
Mark Kriegel
ESPN TV
Pacquiao by KO
Pacquiao is old, but so is Matthysse. Manny has lost some quickness, but he's still a lot quicker than Matthysse -- not to mention busier -- something that wouldn't be lost on the judges in Malaysia. Matthysse has that dangerous right hand, but he's no Juan Manuel Marquez. Jeff Horn found a way to bully Pacquiao, but Matthysse won't be able to. They're the same size. I take Manny by late stoppage, his first since Miguel Cotto in 2009.
Julio Cesar Chavez
ESPN Deportes/A Los Golpes
Matthysse Vs Pacquiao Prediction Match
Pacquiao by KO
I pick Pacquiao. He is a tenacious fighter who throws many punches. Age does not forgive, but I still think Pacquiao wins by knockout.
Joe Cortez
ESPN Deportes
Matthysse by TKO9
Pacquiao is going to have difficulties against Matthysse, who brings good boxing skills and great punching power. I believe that Manny will lose by a TKO around the ninth round.
Eric Raskin
HBO Boxing
Pacquiao by decision
Although Pacquiao is in steep decline and it wouldn't surprise me in the least to see him end up face-down against a puncher such as Matthysse, my suspicion is that he's still quick and versatile enough to outbox the Argentine, who is, conveniently for Pacquiao, past his best as well. Manny hasn't scored a knockout in nearly nine years, and that streak isn't about to end. Pacquiao by competitive but clear decision.
Charles Moynihan
ESPN Bureau Producer
Matthysse by decision
Although Pacquiao galvanized a generation of boxing fans with his diversified skill set, he is in the twilight of his career. Matthysse has more to fight for.
Salvador Rodriguez
ESPNdeportes.com
Pacquiao by decision
It's true that Pacquiao isn't the great Pacman of old, but his speed and footwork are made to punish Matthysse's body. The Argentinian has power but not the timing to put Manny on the canvas. I see Pacquiao winning by points.
Claudia Trejos
ESPNdeportes.com
Pacquiao by decision
This will be a fan-friendly bout since both fighters will come to fight. Although both fighters have seen better days, they are well seasoned with ample experience against very good opposition. This fight will go the distance, and I see Pacquiao using his speed to overcome a hard-hitting Matthysse by decision.
Bernardo Pilatti
ESPNdeportes.com
Pacquiao by decision
Neither fighter is at his best, and for the loser, it could be the last fight of his career. Matthysse has the belt, but he has not looked good since losing to Viktor Postol. Pacquiao looks strong, maintains his speed, fights in friendly territory, looks motivated and is the favorite. It's hard for him to knock out anybody these days, but he should win on the cards.
Leopoldo Gonzalez
ESPN Deportes/Noche de Combates
Pacquiao by decision
Pacman will use his speed, angles and versatility to score a unanimous decision victory against 'La Maquina' Matthysse.
Pablo Viruega
ESPN Deportes/Noche de Combates
Pacquiao by decision
Pacquiao has more tools to come out with a victory over a tenacious Matthysse, who hasn't looked good in his past few fights. Pacquiao is not the same fighter he was a few years back, but his speed can surpass that of Matthysse, who must land a power punch to hurt Manny.
Carlos Nava
ESPNdeportes.com
Pacquiao by decision
Pacquiao is now 39 years old, but he is coming in rested against an opponent who, despite going through a rough patch, has won four of his past five fights. Manny still has the mobility and motivation, knowing that he won his most recent fight against Jeff Horn but was robbed by the judges. But above all, he has the heart of a true warrior to beat the Argentine.