KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Manny Pacquiao's trainer Buboy Fernandez expects fireworks when his fighter clashes with Lucas Matthysse on July 15 (Saturday, July 14 at 9 p.m. ET in the U.S. on ESPN+) at the Axiata Arena for the Argentinian's WBA regular welterweight belt.
Although he wouldn't go into the specifics, Fernandez thinks there will be a knockdown on Sunday.
"It's hard to make a prediction (on who will win)," Fernandez told ESPN5.com. "But someone will go down. I just can't predict who and which round. It will be a great fight."
Fernandez took over as chief trainer for Pacquiao after the celebrated fighter opted not to go with longtime trainer Freddie Roach. Prior to the Matthysse fight, Fernandez had been Roach's chief assistant for 16 years.
Fernandez said this training camp, which was held in the southern Philippine city of Gen. Santos, went very well.
"We just tweaked a few things," he said. "The camaraderie was different. It's been years since we've had all Filipinos in our corner. It was enjoyable because all of us trainers were helping each other out. That's why Manny himself said he was very pleased with this training camp. He liked what he saw and the whole of Team Pacquiao was very supportive."
Pacquiao, Fernandez added, often sought feedback from his team.
"Every day he would ask questions. 'Is the training okay? What else can we adjust?' He would come to the gym early. At 6:30 (in the morning) he was already out jogging. He didn't want his desire to wane."
As for Matthysse, Fernandez said they have scouted the Argentine slugger well.
"Matthysse is strong," he said of their opponent who has knocked out 36 of his 39 victims. "We studied his fights and we know we shouldn't go toe to toe with him."
Sunday's fight will also be the third time that Pacquiao will face an opponent trained by Joel Diaz, who has a 1-1 record against the Filipino superstar. Diaz was in the corner of Timothy Bradley in 2012 when the latter claimed a stunning but controversial split decision and again in 2014 when Pacquiao avenged the loss with a unanimous decision.
Fernandez admits that Diaz will surely be able to share important information with Matthysse about Pacquiao, but doubts whether it will be enough.
"He will be able to share something," he said. "But we're not worried. Manny is more experienced. In terms of strength, Manny also has that. As long as we have Manny in fighting condition, we're not too worried. What's important for us is, whatever we did in training, he brings out in the fight."