It is being reported that Manny Pacquiao’s rumored fight with Lucas Matthysse in Malaysia is a done deal. Top Rank will not be the lead promoter of the fight. We also have an IBF eliminator in the heavyweight division, a quite unfortunate PBC on FOX, and more.
- April 28th will feature the next PBC on FOX card. It is not a good one by what you’d hope to be the standards of a broadcast network series. Welterweight prospect Miguel Cruz (17-0, 11 KOs) will headline against veteran gatekeeper Josesito Lopez (35-7, 19 KOs). Cruz is a decent prospect coming off a pair of quality wins over David Grayton and Alex Martin, but he isn’t exactly a blue chip, can’t miss prospect either. Josesito Lopez has only been stopped by top guys and marks an interesting test, but this just doesn’t bring much of a draw to what should be a huge platform for the sport on FOX.
- The undercard for the show is also set. Anthony Dirrell (31-1-1, 24 KO) will take on his roughly millionth straight mismatch against Abraham Han (26-3-1, 16 KO) and featherweight prospect Jorge Lara (29-0-2, 21 KO) will meet former secondary titleholder Claudio Marrero (22-2, 16 KO). I don’t know what the point of Anthony Dirrell is in 2018 as he hasn’t fought anyone that looked like a threat coming into the fight in about three years now, but I like the opener. Lara has looked impressive in spots and Marrero is a solid fighter in need of a win.
- Ring.tv is reporting that 39 year old Manny Pacquiao (59-7-2, 38 KOs) has agreed to terms with Lucas Matthysse (39-4, 36 KOs) for a showdown in Malaysia on June 9th. This isn’t the first time in recent years Pacquiao has been rumored to be going off on his own for a fight overseas and people have been skeptical about this one accordingly. Yet, it is happening. Interestingly, Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions will take the lead promoter’s role in conjunction with Matthysse’s Golden Boy Promotions. Top Rank will still distribute in the US with their ESPN deal, but this definitely lends credence to Pacquiao and his team’s claims that he is no longer under contract with Top Rank. Either way, this is likely an entertaining matchup to look forward to in the summer.
- Finally, the IBF has ordered Kubrat Pulev (25-1, 13 KOs) and Dominic Breazeale (19-1, 17 KOs) to meet for the status of becoming their mandatory challenger to Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight throne. This is a decent matchup of top fifteen or so heavyweights that will help move the division forward if it happens. They have until April 10th to make a deal or the fight will go to a purse bid.
