By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
FILIPINO BOXING superstar Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao is now a World Boxing Association (WBA) champion and he did so in a fashion he had not done so for nine years — by stoppage.
Challenged Argentinean Lucas “El Maquina” Matthysse for the regular WBA welterweight title in the event dubbed “Fight of Champions” at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Sunday, Mr. Pacquiao was a picture of dominance, knocking down the erstwhile champion three times, and the last one in the seventh round that earned for him the knockout victory.
The last time he stopped an opponent was in 2009 when he defeated Miguel Cotto by technical knockout in the 12th round to win the World Boxing Organization welterweight title.
The WBA welterweight title is the first under the organization in the storied career of Mr. Pacquiao, who is also a sitting senator of the republic.
Mr. Pacquiao did not waste much time taking the fight to Mr. Matthysse, he controlled the fight right from the get-go with crisp combinations and jabs that effectively derailed the Argentinean’s game plan.
Mr. Matthysse went down the first time in the third round after absorbing a solid left uppercut that gave the Filipino fighter a knockdown.
The second knockdown came in the closing seconds of the fifth when Mr. Matthysse took a knee after Mr. Pacquiao landed a right hand to the temple.
The erstwhile champion tried to come back from the two knockdowns he absorbed but only found the going tough as the fight progressed as Mr. Pacquiao stayed on top of things with uppercuts, jabs and straight left hands that eventually set up the end.
Mr. Matthysse went down for the last time in the seventh round after being hit with a hard left uppercut.
Referee Kenny Bayless immediately began the count and waived the fight off at the 2:43 mark.
The win is the 60th for 39-year-old Pacquiao as opposed to seven losses and two draws.
Mr. Matthysse, 35, meanwhile, dropped to 39-5.
“Matthysse is a power puncher and we were aware of that,” said Mr. Pacquiao after his victory, underscoring how they read well Mr. Matthysse’s game plan.
“It has been a long time since I won by knockout. Thanks to God and I dedicate this to the Filipino people, for our pride. Thanks to President Rodrigo Duterte [who came here to watch],” he added, acknowledging the presence of the Philippine president who flew to Malaysia to watch.
Malacañang also paid tribute to the latest accomplishment of Mr. Pacquiao.
“Our President is very happy with the victory of Manny Pacquiao like every Filipino. Many said that with the advancing age of Manny it will be hard to regain his old form but Manny proved them wrong. His victory is the Filipino people’s victory,” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, who was with Mr. Duterte in Malaysia, in a phone interview with DZMM.
Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Filipino featherweight Jhack Tepora became the interim WBA champion by stopping Mexican Edivaldo Ortega by technical knockout in the ninth round of their contest.
“I’m so happy with this win. I always wanted to be a world champion,” Mr. Tepora said immediately after his hard-earned victory.
Also victorious was Juan Miguel Elorde, grandson of the legendary Filipino boxer Gabriel, who dropped his Thai opponent Ratchanon Sawangsoda three times in the third round to win by TKO. The win improved Mr. Elorde’s record 26 wins with one loss.

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