Wealth of experience gives Pacquiao superior edge over Matthysse: analyst

Lucas Matthysse may be the younger and the heavier-handed fighter, but Manny Pacquiao’s experience against top-caliber boxers gives him a more decisive advantage.

Fight analyst Dennis Principe said there’s a huge disparity between Pacquiao and Matthysse as far as high-profile fights are concerned.

“Malaki ang disparity in terms of experience and quality of opponents, and how they handle the marquee fights na hinawakan nila,” Principe said.

“Matthysse has only had 6 marquee fights in his entire career. He lost 4 of them, won twice, but the other victory was questionable.”

The 35-year-old Argentinean, who will defend the WBA “regular” welterweight belt against the Filipino superstar, has won against American Lamont Peterson in 2013, and Russian Ruslan Provodnikov in 2015.

• READ: Lucas Matthysse puts faith in trainer with experience beating Pacquiao

But he fell victim to former world champions Zab Judah (2010), Devon Alexander (2011), Danny Garcia (2013) and Viktor Postol (2015).

The 39-year-old Pacquiao, on the other hand, fought and beat the likes of Timothy Bradley, Juan Manuel Marquez, Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton and Oscar De la Hoya.

He's had losses against elite fighters, too, such as Marquez, Bradley and Floyd Mayweather Jr., but he's fought more marquee fighters than Matthysse.

“I wouldn't be surprised kung matapos ito ng 12 rounds favoring Manny Pacquiao,” said Principe. “I also won't be surprised probably in the late rounds that Matthysse and his corner men would just give up.”

• Analyst points out one Matthysse weakness that Pacquiao can zero in on

Regarding Pacquiao’s lack of knockout victories in recent years, Principe explained that the Filipino is smaller compared to most welterweight boxers and therefore most fighters in the 147-pound division could handle his punch.

“Parang injustice na hanapan mo siya ng knockout. As a welterweight, his punches are not that strong talaga, kayang tanggapin ng kahit sinong welterweight. It's just that the volume of his punches and the way he evades the punches makes him very competitive sa division na ito,” he said.

Principe pointed out that volume punching, coupled with his ability to avoid getting hit, are the reasons Pacquiao has been relatively successful as a welterweight.

He added that Matthysse will have to be mentally strong in order to survive Pacquiao.

“Manny Pacquiao will hurt you not only physically, but mentally. He will test your courage . . . Magkakaproblema rin dito si Matthysse.”

Pacquiao and Matthysse will square off Sunday at Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur.

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)