Manny Pacquiao becomes an 11-time world champion with a seventh round win over Lucas Matthysse in his first KO victory since 2009
PacMan, 39, floored the South American twice before delivering a devastating left uppercut in round seven to claim theWBA welterweight belt
MANNY PACQUIAO proved age is just a number as he became an 11-time world champion by knocking out Lucas Matthysse.
The 39-year-old Filipino claimed the WBA world welterweight title in round seven of the showdown in Kuala Lumpur this morning.
PacMan, who had been expected to fight on the back foot, came out swinging in Malaysia from the get go as he closed down the 35-year-old Argentine from round one.
The future Hall of Famer dropped Matthysse three times before securing victory.
The first came in the third round with a beautiful left uppercut, then he did it again in the fifth with a looping right hook prior to the final knockdown with another guard splitting left uppercut.
That led referee Kenny Bayless to wave off the fight as Pacquiao earned his first KO win since stopping both Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto in 2009.
Legend Pacquiao showed the speed and power that helped lift him to boxing superstardom.
He said: “Thank God for this victory. This is all dedicated to God and all the Filipino people. Thank you to our country and our president for watching this fight.
“We did a good job and my team in training. We were not pushing hard like we did when we were very young.
“We controlled ourselves in the training but it’s heavy training. Thanks to all of my team for working hard in this fight.”
He continued: “Matthysse has the power also so we were taking care in the ring with hands up all the time and doing my best.
“I’m surprised [he was knocked down three times] because Matthysse is a very tough opponent. I knocked him down and that’s a bonus for being focused and patient and in the fight and working hard in training.”
With talk of a potential mouthwatering match with WBO lightweight world champion Vasyl Lomachenko gathering speed, Pacquiao remained tight-lipped about any future opponents.
He said: “That’s another story and another discussion.
“Right now, I’m happy to go back to my country in the Philippines and to celebrate the victory and, of course, doing my job as a public servant.
“We are planned [to fight again in 2018]. We have not decided yet. Right now my focus is to go back to my country and, of course, relax.”