GMA-7 to simulcast Pacquiao-Matthysse fight on free TV; radio coverage on dzBB

GMA Network has joined forces with other networks to broadcast Manny Pacquiao's return to the ring against Lucas Matthysse on July 15.

The announcement was made in a news conference on Thursday attended by GMA Network Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Felipe S. Yalong, who also announced that Super Radyo dzBB has been tapped for radio coverage of the event.

 

The country’s leading TV networks, including GMA-7, are joining forces to simulcast the upcoming “Fight of Champions” between boxing champ and Senator Manny Pacquiao and Argentinian Lucas Matthysse on July 15. Present for GMA is EVP and CFO Felipe Yalong. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/yF2vEXNpSC

— Jamil Santos (@Jamil_Santos02) May 24, 2018

 

Arnold Vegafria, head of sales and marketing of MP Productions, attended the event along with Yalong and executives from other networks.

Pacquiao and Matthysse will square off in Malaysia for the WBA welterweight championship.

Vegafria said MP Productions will stage a multi-platform airing of the match, which will also be available in other parts of the world including North and Latin America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

According to Vegafria, Pacquiao is happy to be the promoter of his fight for the first time. "Masaya siya dahil siyempre it's another milestone sa kaniya, and history na hindi aakalain na magsu-support 'yung ibang countries na bumili ng TV rights sa buong mundo," he said.

Vegafria announced tickets will be available next week.

The card will air on GMA Network from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a replay at 10 p.m.

Aside from the Pacquiao-Matthyse main event, there will be nine undercard fights with three other world titles on the line.

The former eight-division world champion acknowledged he had a “dangerous” opponent in Matthysse, but he is confident of his odds with the right training and game plan.

"Sisiguraduhin ko sa inyo, makikita niyo si Senador Manny Pacquiao na parang nag-uumpisang gutom na Pilipinong boksingero, 'yon po ang maipapangako ko sa inyo," Jake Joson of Team Pacquiao said.

Joson said Pacquiao's training is going well, but will get more intense as the Filipino boxer spars with his partners, including his assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez. "So makakakita na kayo ng ibang level ng training na gagawin ni Senator Manny," Joson said.

Pacquiao has planned for a shorter but more intense training for his preparation.

Pacquiao is coming off a WBO welterweight title loss to Australia's Jeff Horn in a controversial bout in Brisbane last year.

Matthysse, who holds a 39-4 record with 36 knockouts, will be making his first title defense after previously campaigning in the light welterweight division, claiming the vacant WBA title by defeating Thailand Tewa Kiram in January.

Joson said it has been a long time dream of the Filipino boxing icon to promote his own matches.

"Lahat po 'yung tinackle na namin one month before pa lang siya mag-ensayo para going to the training camp wala na po siyang iniisip. Napaka-strict po ni Senador, lahat gusto niya, mabusisi, smooth-sailing bago siya mag-ensayo kasi wala pong puwedeng makaistorbo sa kaniya 'pag pumasok po siya sa training camp," Joson said.

"Dahil ang goal po natin dito, sisiugraduhin nating may babagsak, at sisiguraduhin ko, hindi tayo 'yon," Joson added.

According to Joson, Pacquiao is already at the second stage of his conditioning to gain his speed and power. "Right on the track po 'yung ating ensayo para kay Senador Manny Pacquiao."

Joson says Pacquiao will focus on his training after the Senate recess. "Ever since pinagsasabay niya ang kaniyang trabaho dahil hindi po niya pupwedeng kaligtaan 'yung pangako niya sa bayang Pilipino na trabaho then boxing. Since magre-reccess na naman po, magfo-focus na po siya sa training," said Joson. —JST, GMA News