Photos: Pacquiao, Matthysse - Face To Face at Petronas Towers

By Carlos Costa

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia  --   Boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao (59-7-2, 38 KO's) of the Philippines and hard-hitting WBA 'regular' welterweight world champion Lucas "La Máquina" Matthysse (39-3, 36 KO's) of Argentina promote their intriguing July 14 world title clash "Fight of Champions" at the iconic Petronas Towers here in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

Still eleven weeks to fight night, yet, both men have already promised fans a toe-to-toe action combat. 

Pacquiao and Matthysse are now beginning training camps; they'll see each other again in July.

Dubbed "Fight of Champions," the mega-fight will usher in Pacquiao's debut as a fight promoter at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur featuring three other world title fights in the undercard.

"It is all systems go for the Pacquiao vs. Matthysse fight," said Pacquiao, who is hoping to equal if not surpass the expectations leading to the grandiose Muhammad Ali-Joe Bugner fight which was also held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in July 1975.

"We have assembled the biggest fight card Malaysia has been waiting for in the last 43 years since Ali-Bugner," added Pacquiao.

Matthysse, the dangerous 36-year-old champion from Argentina who tallied 36 knockouts out of his 39 wins, and against only four losses, has started training with Joel Diaz. Diaz also trained Timothy Bradley, whom Pacquiao has faced thrice in the past.

“This is the fight I have always wanted. The opportunity to fight a future Hall of Famer such as Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao inspires me to work harder than ever to earn a victory for my fans. I know that it will not be easy. But I will defend my title with honor and represent my country Argentina with pride,” said Matthysse.

"This early, we would like to thank the people who have made this event happen and I thank all boxing fans for their support," said Pacquiao.

Pacquiao was joined by his new promotions team along with trainers Restituto "Buboy" Fernandez and Raides "Nonoy" Neri.