After a year of hiatus, Manny Pacquiao will be climbing the ring today at the Axiata Arena Kuala Lumpur aiming to snatch the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight crown from Lucas Matthysse of Argentina.

He wants this win badly as he also seeks to book a duel with three-division champion Vasiliy Lomachenko for a chance to regain lost glory at 39, an age not a few boxing experts expected Pacquiao would spend in retirement.

Pacquiao’s long-time promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank Promotions revealed the fighting lawmaker is looking to dominate Matthysse for a chance to face Lomachenko in a lightweight clash.

Although Lomachenko is recovering from a shoulder surgery a couple of months ago, he should be ready by November or December to fight Pacquiao, according to Arum.

Arum is no longer promoting Pacquiao’s fight after the Filipino slugger decided to promote himself in cooperation with Golden Boy Promotions of erstwhile rival Oscar De La Hoya.

But the 86-year old Harvard-educated lawyer claimed no hard feelings and said he is willing to promote Pacquiao in his possible match with the Ukrainian superstar.

“Manny has to win this and they need to agree on a mutual weight, but we can get it done,” Arum told Lance Pugmire of Los Angeles Times in an interview in the United States.

“Who friggin’ knows who will win, though. Matthysse is a tremendous puncher and Manny’s quickness is not the same as it was.”

Pacquiao said he’s interested in a showdown with Lomachenko and a clash with him would be a fitting gift for his 40th birthday in December.

On the contrary, a setback to Matthysse would be comparable to what he did to De La Hoya, whom he sent into retirement in 2008.

“I’ve watched a couple of his fights,” said Pacquiao, who nearly had a showdown with Lomachenko last year, but the Ukrainian refused to meet him in heavier weight category.

“He’s fast and I like his style. Fighting him will be good and exciting.”

Pacquiao said he would give all his best against Matthysse.

A number of well-wishers joined Pacquiao during yesterday’s weigh-in at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

Hundreds of mainly Filipino fans pushed forward to get a glimpse of the fighters as they left prompting fears the stage might collapse under their weight before order was restored.

Special Assistant to the President Bong Go, meanwhile, said Pacquiao’s fight is also the Filipino people’s fight.

“Manny fights in the ring, while we fight everyday to better our lives,” Go said.

“Senator Pacquiao, our fighter, is the only boxer in history to have achieved numerous triumphs in winning eight divisions and who dedicates his life to his advocacy to uplift the nation through various ways. As a senator of the republic, our fighter does more,” Go said.