SENATOR Manny Pacquiao proved pundits wrong after knocking out Lucas Martin Matthysse to steal the World Boxing Association (WBA) world welterweight title in Malaysia.
Pacquiao, 39, said his “convincing victory” in the WBA welterweight title fight, his 12th championship win, showed age isn’t a barrier after knocking out Matthysse in the seventh round.
Local boxing promoter Darwin Miller Dep-ay of DMAD Boxing Promotions said Pacquiao’s victory proved he can still be a force to reckon with in boxing.
“Coach Buboy Ferrnandez and Manny Pacquiao were able to develop their own style. Manny was aggressive but cautious in his counters and attack against Matthysse,” said Dep-ay. “Although Manny likes to brawl, he was able to look for the right timing especially when Matthysse was on attack mode. Manny was definitely the smarter fighter.”
Dep-ay believes the fighting Senator from Sarangani Province can still see action for at least two bouts before hanging his gloves for good.
Brico Santig, who manages the Highland Boxing Gym in La Trinidad, Benguet likewise acknowledged Pacquiao’s renewed energy inside the boxing ring.
“I think Manny can still fight younger guys because he is so focused in this bout and he has a longer preparation,” adds Santig.
Long time boxing trainer Joven Jorda, also from Highland Boxing Gym, noted Pacquiao has slowed down as compared to other bouts.
Jorda was the main trainer of Tewa Kiram of Thailand who lost to Matthysse to claim the vacant WBA welterweight crown in January.
“Si Matthysse nag aalangan sumuntok kasi nung laban namin noong January 27 sa America eh marami syang tinanggap na suntok mula kay Tewa kaya nandoon pa yong mga damage lalo na sa ilong kaya nang tinamaan sya nang suntok ni Senator Manny nag kusa na syang umopo,” said Jorda.
Jorda, a former boxer himself added Matthysse was cautious against Pacquiao after almost being beaten by Kiwa from the first until the eighth round but got lucky and steal the win.
A former world title contender himself, Jorda noticed Pacquiao was a little bit slower this time delivering two to three punches compared to nine to 10 blows he delivers in one combination.
“Mabagal na ang suntok, dalawa or tatlo na lang di tulad noon na umaabot nang sampung suntok na sunod at foot work mabagal na rin,” added Jorda.
Pacquiao rebounded from his disappointing loss last year to Australian Jeff Horn and his victory could extend his boxing career that had taken a backseat to his political life as a senator.
“This is it. I am back in boxing,” Pacquiao said. “I am not done. I’m still there.”
Pacquiao said training with new coach Buboy Fernandes, after parting ways with longtime trainer Freddie Roach in the lead up to the fight, was effective and that he felt in control from the start.
Matthysse, who won 36 out of 39 matches by knockout, hailed Pacquiao as a “great fighter, a great legend” and said he will take a break after his loss.
“This is part of boxing. You win some, you lose some,” he said.
President Rodrigo Duterte and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad also attended the fight, the biggest boxing match in Malaysia since the 1975 heavyweight clash between Muhammad Ali and Australian Joe Bugner. (Roderick Osis with AP)