
Malaysia raves over Manny
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 22 Jul 2018

KUALA LUMPUR. Newly-crowned WBA welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao captivated the Malaysian press and fans with his seventh round stoppage of Lucas Matthysse to wrest the 147-pound crown as a look-alike from Sabah attempted to share the spotlight by making himself accessible to media.
It was Pacquiao-mania in K. L. as even Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahatir Bin Mohamad witnessed the fight in the VIP section of the Axiata Arena with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. In the days leading to Malaysia?s biggest boxing spectacle since Muhammad Ali beat Joe Bugner at the Merdeka Stadium in 1975, the anticipation was fever-pitch. Matthysse flew in from his camp in Indio, California and acclimatized for two weeks while Pacquiao arrived on a chartered Philippine Airlines flight six days before the fight.
The fighters were billeted at Le Meridien Hotel whose lobby was transformed into a virtual marketplace with an overflow of fans during the week of the event. The city was decked out with banners and posters announcing the affair in high-density places.
After the fight, 44-year-old rubber farmer Aloysius Taidin cut a conspicuous figure in the exits, drawing curious attention from fans and media for his uncanny resemblance to Pacquiao. He was accompanied by three Malaysians who appeared to be his handlers. ?All I want is to meet Pacquiao,? said Taidin. ?I became a fan in 2009 and I?ve been watching his fights on TV. I?m not a boxer. I?m just a farmer. But I flew 2 1/2 hours from Sabah to watch him fight.?
Taidin, the Malaysian version of the Philippines' Manny Paksiw, said he couldn?t pass up the opportunity to witness a Pacquiao fight live even if it meant taking a long flight at his expense. Sabah is over 1,600 kilometers from the Malaysian capital.
Another point of interest for Malaysian fans was the participation of two unbeaten locals in the 11-fight card assembled by MP Promotions. Featherweight Aiman Abu Bakar scored a unanimous four-round decision over Indonesia?s Abdi while welterweight Theena Thayalan was held to a split four-round draw by India?s Siddharth Varma. The Malaysian press got a few facts wrong in reporting on both bouts. The Malay Mail said Aiman won by a split decision. The (Malaysian) Star said Aiman scored a technical knockout and Thayalan went six rounds with Varma. Aiman, 26, raised his record to 8-0 with his first seven wins coming in the Philippines. Theena, 20, dislocated his shoulder in the first round and was lucky to salvage a draw.
The man of the moment was clearly Pacquiao. The Star headlined its story ?Manny (has) fights left in him? with the subheading ?Pacquiao proves he still has that ?Eye of the Tiger.?? The Star added that Pacquiao ?put up an impressive show of power.? The Malay Mail said ?Pacquiao (is) far from packing it in.?
Matthysse, 35, earned the biggest paycheck of his career, reportedly $2.5 Million. He was paid only $210,000 for halting Thailand?s Theerachai Kratingdaeng-Gym to claim the WBA title in Los Angeles last January. His previous biggest purse was $1 Million for facing Danny Garcia to whom he lost on points in Las Vegas in September 2013. Matthysse received $800,000 for stopping Lamont Peterson in the third round in May 2013.
Photo: Aloysius Taidin.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
No issues with fight ref
By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 03 Jul 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Grand Muay Thai event in Verona
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Thu, 03 Jul 2025Morelle McCane and Rene Camacho Advance to Quarterfinals of World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Thu, 03 Jul 20253 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
Thu, 03 Jul 2025ESPN Original Series The Fight Life Returns for Season Two on July 7
Wed, 02 Jul 2025TOP-RATED LIGHTWEIGHT KO ARTIST ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI RETURNS
Wed, 02 Jul 2025Amazing Muay Thai WBC Festival 2025
Wed, 02 Jul 2025Borromeo Leads Winners of the Philippine Speedcubing Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 02 Jul 2025What If Pacquiao Defeats Barrios?
By Ralph Rimpell, Wed, 02 Jul 2025Team USA Earns Three Wins on Day Two of World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Wed, 02 Jul 2025Women's Boxing Champion Signs with Combate Global, Still Aims For WBC Absolute Gold
Wed, 02 Jul 2025Sanman Boxing Presents Hard-Hitting Prospect Abubakar Yanon Set to Challenge for Philippine Boxing Federation Flyweight Title in Malungon, Sarangani Province
Wed, 02 Jul 2025Boxing Returns to Tropicana Atlantic City, July 25
Wed, 02 Jul 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 June 2025: Zurdo Outpoints Dorticos, Keeps WBA/WBO Cruiser Titles; Mbilli Stops Sulecki in 1; Wins by Kuroki, Wilder and Jake Paul
By Eric Armit, Tue, 01 Jul 2025IIEE Titans secured Finals in BPBL, IIEE Chessmasters retain on top level in Bundesliga
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 01 Jul 2025