THE THIRD COMING OF MANNY PACQUIAO
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 15 Jul 2018
KUALA LUMPUR ? ?I?m back!"
With these words, the Filipino boxing icon has served notice to the whole world of his third coming after devastating losses he suffered the past seven years.
Defeats dealt to him by arch-rivals Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012 and Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2015, and only last year by Australian former school teacher Jeff Horn cast doubts on his capability to make it to big time again at age 39.
But the gritty, speedy Filipino eight-division champion proved his detractors wrong with what looked like an easy seventh round technical knockout victory, his first win via stoppage in nine years, at the Axiata Arena here Sunday.
The fighting Philippine Senator dropped the supposedly hard-punching Argentine belt-owner thrice ? one in the third round with a vicious left-right combination, another in the fifth and last in the seventh when the Pacman let-loose with a left uppercut that sent Matthysse kneeling.
Referee Kenny Bayless looked at the deposed champion at his eyes before motioning the fight was over without even counting as Pacquiao jumped and spread-eagled 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 press conference in what belied conjectures his pro-career is nearing its end.
?I?m not done yet. I?m still here,? he told media men. ?I feel I?m only 27 years old.?
That TKO victory was Pacquao?s first since stopping Miguel Cotto in 12 rounds in 2012. It was, too, his 60th win in 69 fights of a 23-year professional career, 39 of them by stoppage.
The loss was Matthysse?s fifth in a 14-year career.
Matthysse, whose camp had announced he?s going to retire Pacquuao, who, he added is already due for retirement, was never able to land any solid punches.
The fight between two of fleet-footed fighters in the world today was unexpectedly easy that without those knockdowns would have been the dull.
This writer, in fact saw Pacquiao shutting out the title-defender with a 70-42 scorecard when the fight was stopped.
Pacquao took control right at the opening bell connecting with 1-2 and 1-2-3 unanswered combinations, which he continued in the next round.
The Filipino legend served notice of what to come in the third where he caught the Argentine with a left cross and a right straight that fell Matthysse to the seat of his pants.
Sensing he had his rival?s number, Pacquiao continued his pressing attacks in the succeeding period ending the fourth with a solid right. Matthysse was warned of a head butt earlier in the round.
Another warning, this time of low blow completely disarmed the champion who fell victim to that left uppercut in the seventh that ended his unsuccessful first defense of the WBA 147-pound diadem he won just last January.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Three in line for title bids
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 27 Dec 2024Paciones wins WBA Asia light fly title
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 27 Dec 2024Yanong KOs Phayom in 2nd round
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 27 Dec 2024Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Team Dominates, Defends Title at 41st PCA Open Championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 27 Dec 2024MIEL FAJARDO READY FOR YOHANA IN EXCITING WBO 112 GLOBAL TODAY IN TANZANIA
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 26 Dec 2024Today! Paciones, Yanong, Zamora, Soledad Ready for Action in Highland Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 26 Dec 2024LERASAN, KASSIM, MAKE WEIGHT FOR WBF 118 BELT IN TANZANIA
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 26 Dec 2024IIEE Metro Central scores 24-24 standoff versus IIEE Western Visayas in the 3rd D’ Engineers Cup
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 26 Dec 2024Ortega wins Laguna chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 25 Dec 2024Paciones to fight Li in Bangkok on Dec. 26
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 24 Dec 2024Antonio Vargas Seeks Showdown with WBA Bantamweight Champion Seiya Tsutsumi
Tue, 24 Dec 2024FIGHTBOOK ANNOUNCES OFFICIAL LAUNCH IN EARLY 2025 AND OPENS PRE-REGISTRATION FOR PROFESSIONAL BOXERS
Tue, 24 Dec 2024IBA investigates possible integrity violations at the ASBC Asian Boxing Championships in Thailand
Tue, 24 Dec 2024NM Ilar rules 7th Nova Onas Rapid chess tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 24 Dec 2024Where Have All THE Heavyweights Gone?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 23 Dec 2024