King of the ring
KUALA LUMPUR: The champ is back. Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao proved that he is still a force to reckon with after devastating Argentine Lucas Matthysse at the Axiata Arena here on Sunday.
The gritty eight-division champion won through a technical knockout on the seventh round, his first victory via stoppage in nine years. The fighting senator dropped the hard-punching Argentine belt-owner thrice — on the third round with a vicious left-right combination, on the fifth and on the seventh round where he let loose a powerful left uppercut that sent Matthysse kneeling.
Referee Kenny Bayless motioned the fight was over without even counting as Pacquiao jumped around the ring in celebration of his crowning as the new World Boxing Association welterweight champion.
“I’m back!” Pacquiao exclaimed during the post-fight news conference.
“I’m not done yet. I’m still here. I feel I’m only 27 years old,” he told the media.
The TKO victory was Pacquiao’s first since stopping Miguel Cotto in 2012.
Matthysse, meanwhile, endured his fifth defeat in a 14-year career. The Argentine never landed any solid punch.
Pacquiao took control right at the opening bell by connecting with powerful unanswered combinations, which he continued in the next round.
On the third round, the Filipino legend caught Matthysse with a left cross and a right straight. Sensing he had the advantage, Pacquiao pressed on with his attacks, ending the fourth round with a solid right. Matthysse was warned for a head butt earlier in the round.
President Rodrigo Duterte, who was in Kuala Lumpur for a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, watched the fight from the ringside. He was accompanied by his son Sebastian, Mahathir and his special assistant, Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go.
Duterte heaped praises on Pacquiao but also urged him to consider hanging up his gloves.
“I’d like to see my friend rest on his laurels at this time and enjoy life,” Duterte told journalists after the bout. “He has so much money already. He can enjoy life.”
“I would like to congratulate Senator Manny Pacquiao for giving us pride and bringing the Filipino nation together once more,” the President said in a statement.
“You have proven time and again that you are not just a public servant, but one of the greatest boxers of all time.
This win will surely cement, yet again, your position and legacy in boxing’s Hall of Fame. May you continue to inspire Filipinos not only in boxing but also in the public service,” he added.
This is the first time an incumbent president watched Pacquiao fight.
The President’s special aide also sent his regards to Pacquiao, for “showing the whole world the heart, the courage and the skill of the Filipino.”
Cheers, tears
Millions of boxing fans across the Philippines erupted in cheers and tears of joy when they saw Pacquiao beat Matthysse.
In the run-up to the fight, Pacquiao was trailed by whispers that he was past his prime and doubts he would be able to best the big-punching Matthysse, who is four years his junior.
But when Pacquiao’s victory was sealed in the seventh round by knockout, fans around the nation of over 100 million jumped to their feet and roared with joy.
“I was confident he could do it. It’s not about his age,” Christopher Lasala, 39, said in Manila. “I was so happy when he knocked out Matthysse, I kept clapping. I said I knew Pacquiao would win.”
Flora dela Paz, a life-long boxing fan, had tears streaming down her face as she watched Pacquiao raise his arms in victory.
“I am just so happy. I got goosebumps,” the 68-year-old retired shoemaker said. “He won, he won!”
Pacquiao is idolized by tens of millions of Filipinos after rising from the streets to the pinnacle of boxing.
Known to his countrymen as Pambansang Kamao (The National Fist), Pacquiao was crowned WBA welterweight champion at the age of 39.
To most of the 105 million Filipino population, the winner of an unparalleled eight world championships in different weight divisions is a beloved national symbol and living proof that success is possible with hard work even if you are dirt-poor.
Pacquiao declared a net worth of P2.946 billion pesos ($56.2 million) in 2017 and placed 20th in Forbes’ list last year of the highest-paid athletes of all time with total earnings of $510 million.
He has successfully parlayed his boxing fame into a political career, getting elected to the House of Representatives and then, in 2016, to the Senate.
He admits to having considered running for president someday and many Filipinos are urging him on.
Known for his generosity and common touch, he has given away huge amounts to friends, supporters and to the poor. He is known for accommodating his fans, letting them watch his training sessions.
The 1.66-meter southpaw began his professional ring career as a teenager, and in 23 years has compiled a 60-7-2 win-loss-draw record with 39 knockouts.
In the ring he is a volume power puncher who uses lightning footwork to create angles with which to deliver flurries, the likes of which have felled Oscar de la Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera.
With Ralph Villanueva and AFP
The post King of the ring appeared first on The Manila Times Online.