Pacquiao to fight Matthysse for WBA welterweight title in Kuala Lumpur, confirms De La Hoya

Filipino's return against the Argentine champion in the Malaysian capital will be his first bout since a shock defeat to Australian Horn in July last year.

FILE - In this July 23, 2017, file photo, Manny Pacquiao, of the Philippines, reacts after his loss to Jeff Horn, of Australia, in a WBO World Welterweight title fight in Brisbane, Australia. Pacquiao won't box Horn in a rematch of their WBO world welterweight title fight this year because the Filipino senator will be busy with government duties. Pacquiao's unavailability for a proposed Nov. 12 bout was announced Friday, Sept. 1, 2017, by Australian promoters of the fight. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard, File)
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Manny Pacquiao will fight Argentine welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse for the World Boxing Association (WBA) title in Kuala Lumpur in July, promoter Oscar de la Hoya said.

"Signed, sealed, and delivered: Proud to officially announce that WBA welterweight world champion @MatthysseLucas will put his title on the line against @mannypacquiao in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Saturday night July 14 (US time)," De la Hoya said on Twitter.

Matthysse beat Thailand's Tewa Kiram to win the vacant WBA welterweight belt in January and take his record to 38-4-0.

Filipino Pacquiao, 39, last fought in a unanimous points loss to Australian Jeff Horn in July last year. He is ranked second in the division and has an overall record of 57-6-2.