Manila — World champion Lucas Matthysse has vowed a fight "to the death" in his July title defence against Manny Pacquiao, describing the Philippine boxing legend a diminished star. But the 35-year-old Argentine — who took the vacant World Boxing Association welterweight title in January — said it was still a "dream come true" and "an honour" to face Pacquiao, winner of eight unprecedented world titles in different weight classes. "Obviously he is still a very great fighter but since the knockout of Marquez, I think he is not the same fighter anymore," Matthysse said at a joint news conference in Manila on Wednesday, referring to the Filipino’s sensational 2012 knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez. "He is not in his prime anymore," the Argentine said. Pacquiao, 39, will fight Matthysse for the WBA welterweight belt on July 15 in Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur. The Filipino has 59 wins with 38 knockouts in his career and is now a senator in the Philippine parliament. Many people in...
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