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.

Manny Pacquiao has not fought since July 2017 when he was surprisingly beaten by Jeff Horn. Tertius Pickard / AP Photo

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.