Boxing
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Lucas Matthysse 'ready for whatever Manny Pacquiao brings,' says trainer Joel Diaz

Boxing

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- For all of Manny Pacquiao's considerable gifts -- from his hand speed to his punching power to his quickness -- Lucas Matthysse's trainer Joel Diaz is concentrating on one thing above all else.

"The mentality is the most important," said Diaz after Matthysse completed his workout for the media on Wednesday, four days before he defends his WBA regular welterweight title against Pacquiao at the Axiata Arena. "Physically, Lucas prepares himself really well because he works really hard. Just being psychologically prepared, letting him know that Manny Pacquiao is a very intense fighter. He (Pacquiao) brings a lot of energy into a fight.

"A lot of people don't realize that Manny Pacquiao is so intense in the ring, he doesn't wear you down physically. He wears you down mentally. So that's one of the most important preparations that we did for him. He's ready for whatever Manny Pacquiao brings for him."

The card, dubbed "Fight of Champions", will air on Sunday morning in the Philippines on ESPN5 beginning at 10 a.m. and will stream live on ESPN+ in the United States on Saturday, July 14 at 9 p.m. ET.

Diaz was in the corner of Timothy Bradley for the first two of the American's three fights against Pacquiao, so he has seen the Filipino fighter up close in the ring for a total of 24 rounds. Bradley took the first bout by a controversial split decision in 2012 before Pacquiao evened things up with a clear unanimous decision two years later. The third bout in 2016 also went Pacquiao's way by decision, by which time Bradley had switched to Teddy Atlas to oversee his training.

Matthysse said he was relaxed but ready for the biggest fight of his career.

"I'm just enjoying everything I'm doing," he said. "All the hard work is already done. We did the hard work already back home. Now I'm just maintaining, basically just tuning up. Just getting ready and resting."

"I have a positive mentality. I prepared myself really, really well. My goal is to go home with a win."

The Argentinian, who has won 36 of his 39 professional fights by stoppage, scoffed at reports supposedly coming from the Pacquiao camp that he would get knocked out in just a few rounds.

"They can think whatever they want. I had great preparation. I'm here with my belt and I'm taking it back home with me."

There were also reports that Matthysse was having trouble with his weight and was still way off the welterweight limit of 147 pounds. Diaz quickly denied this.

"He's probably at 149, so he's only a couple of pounds over," the veteran trainer said. "He's been like that for the last couple of weeks. It's never been an issue. He had to adjust to the heat (in Kuala Lumpur), but he's doing well now."

Diaz added that they prepared for this fight for more than two months.

"He started training back in Argentina. Then when they came to California, he was there for approximately two months."

Matthysse was also unconcerned with the notion that a win over Pacquiao would send the 39-year-old Filipino star to retirement.

"After this fight, it's all up to Manny if he wants to retire."

In the supporting event, Jhack Tepora (21-0, 16KOs) of Cebu clashes with Edivaldo Ortega (26-1-1, 12 KOs) of Mexico for the WBA featherweight championship.

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