The legend continues: Old Pacman is back

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — The old Manny Pacquiao is back.

Conjuring the old form that catapulted him to unrivalled fame and greatness, a revitalized Pacquiao put on a boxing masterclass in a seventh round stoppage of defending champion Lucas Matthysse to snatch the WBA welterweight title in the blockbuster 'Fight of Champions' fightcard yesterday at the Axiata Arena here.

It was Pacquiao's first knockout win since he stopped Puerto Rican star Miguel Cotto in the 12th round of their WBO/WBC welterweight championship on November 14, 2009 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Pumped up at the sight of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohahammad – the first ever event in boxing history wherein two heads of state are in attendance – Pacquiao displayed a dominant show of force and superb skills right to rattle Matthysse right after the opening bell.

"From the beginning of the first round, I had in my mind that I can control the fight. I just stick to our gameplan not to rush things up, don't be careless and focus with our strategy," said Pacquiao moments after tallying his 60th victory now spiked with 39KOs.

Pacquiao, who reportedly will receive $10 million in prize money, first floored Matthysse with a straight left followed by a right hook combo capping a flurry of punches in the third round.

Matthysse went down on the canvas again despite not getting a direct hit from Pacquiao with just a few seconds left in round five. Prior to that though, he was peppered by Pacquiao with a stinging jabs.

The bitter end of Matthysse came in the seventh round when he absorbed a jaw-breaking left uppercut from Pacquiao.

Bruised and battered, Matthysse went down on both knees for the third and last time.

Feeling that he could no longer sustain Pacquiao's heavy bombardments, the former Argentine titlist spit up his mouthguard signalling surrender, prompting referee Kenny Bayless to quickly wave off the bout at the 2:43 mark of round seven.

Magnanimous in victory, Pacquiao has some consoling words for Matthysse.

“I was surprised because Matthysse is a very tough opponent and I knocked him down,” said Pacquiao. “So that’s a bonus from being focused and patient in the fight and working hard in training camp."

Pacquiao, who claimed his 12th world crown and first with the WBA, credited his great training camp for his ressurrection to glory.

"Buboy's strategy is very effective," said Pacquiao. "We [my team] did a good job in training. We controlled ourselves during training. It was a heavy training. Thanks to all my team for working hard for this fight. We're so blessed for this convincingly knockout victory."

Pacquiao was referring to Buboy Fernandez, his bosom friend and longtime assistant whom he tapped as his chief cornerman after parting ways Freddie Roach, his trainer for 18 years.

Gracious in defeat, Matthysse, who suffered a swollen face on both sides, heaped Pacquiao with praises.

"Fighting Manny Pacquiao [is the most difficult part about fighting Pacquiao],” said Matthysse. “He’s a great fighter. He’s a great champion. You win some, and you lose some. Today was my turn to lose, but I lost to a great fighter and a great legend in Manny Pacquiao," said Matthysse, who wants to take a momentary break from boxing to spend quality time with his family.

"First, I would like to rest and go back home. The hard work has been done. The fight has taken place. I lost, but I walk away with my head raised. I’m sorry to Argentina, but I’m fine. Thank you for all the love and support, and we’ll be seeing all my family and friends soon.”

The sweeping triumph was a sweet redemption for boxing's only eight-division world champion.

Since losing his WBO belt to Jeff Horn a year ago, some quarters believed that Pacquiao is already in the twilight of his glittering 23-year career.

At 39 years old going 40 this December, they felt that Pacquiao should hang up his gloves for good as he nothing else to prove given his stunning accomplishments.  Pacquiao proved them all wrong.

With his masterful destruction of "The Machine" from Argentina, the Pacquiao legend continues.

"Like I said I'm not gone. I'm still here. I know it's just a matter of time that I would get back to my old self. And that's what I did," said Pacquiao.

With his masterpiece of a performance, Pacquiao certainly set aside all the retirement stories about him.

That isn't looming in his horizon, not just yet for now.

"Boxing is my passion. If it is not my passion, I would not fight again. I'm just addicted to boxing. I really want to fight and bring honor to my country.  That's what my heart desires," Pacquiao said.

Heads of state

While impressed by Pacquiao's knockout win, President Rodrigo Duterte wants the senator to retire from boxing.

"I said he's 39. Not because he cannot win, or lose, but I'd like to see my friend rest on his laurel... at this time and enjoy life. He has so much money already. No problem. He can enjoy life," Duterte told reporters in Malaysia.

Duterte said he was inspired to meet with Mahathir because of Pacquiao's victory.

"I'm very happy. No regrets that I came earlier to watch the fight. It's a good one and it’s the first time that I traveled outside of the Philippines just to see him fight. Other fights were held in the United States," the president said.

Mahathir, for his part, said the Pacquiao-Matthysse fight was a "historical day" for Malaysia.

"This is a big, big historical day for Malaysia where we have one Filipino champion fighting in Malaysia (and) witnessed by the leaders of both countries," the Malaysian leader said.

"That's why the leaders of both countries have boxing diplomacy. We don't punch each other," he added.

Peaceful

In the Philippines, fans and supporters were glued to their screens and just like in his previous matches, Pacquiao yet again managed to keep the country peaceful, even for several hours.

Cebu City, for one, had a zero crime rate yesterday.

Cebu City Police Director, Senior Supt. Royina Garma, said all 11 police stations did not receive any report or complaint.

“Based naman talaga sa mga fights ni Pacquiao ay tahimik talaga ang lugar natin, but still, kahit ganun, all our police naman are deployed and making sure na walang gulo," Garma said.

Parts of the city where crowds converged for pay per view events were monitored closely by authorities. (FREEMAN)