Pacquiao after learning Duterte will watch his fight: Mas inspired ako

Filipino boxing champion and Senator Manny Pacquiao is even more fired up in his upcoming WBA Welterweight championship match against Argentine boxer Lucas Matthysse, now that President Rodrigo Duterte will be among the audience.

"Mas inspired ako," said Pacquiao in a report by GMA News' Mav Gonzales on Balitanghali on Tuesday.

"Nais kong imbitahan lahat ng mga kababayan kong mga Pilipino na nandito sa Malaysia to watch the fight this coming Sunday," he added.

Malacañang on Tuesday said Duterte will fly to Malaysia this weekend to watch Pacquiao's fight and meet with Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

Colorful Malaysian welcome

With musicians and folk dancers, Pacquiao and Matthysse were given a colorful Malaysian welcome upon entering the Le Meridien Hotel in Malaysia on Tuesday morning.

This will be their first activity during the fight week before the clash.

Matthyse, together with his team, arrived first to adjust to Malaysia's climate. The defending WBA Welterweight Champion proudly walked at the red carpet, then took a picture with Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Charles Jose.

But shouts even became louder when Pacquiao arrived.

Pacquiao's mother, Dionisia Pacquiao, also got to meet her son's opponent. She said the Argentine slugger even said "Thank you mommy" to her.

Aling Dionisia refused to gave her forecast of the outcome of his son's fight, but she reminded him to say his prayers and take care of himself in the ring.

More than 100,000 Filipinos in Malaysia are expected to support the fight, Jose said.

Discounted tickets could be brought at the Philippine Embassy with prices of up to 250 Malaysian Ringgit or more than P3,300. —Jamil Santos/KBK, GMA News