Any obituary on Manny Pacquiao’s boxing career has been proven premature: There is still more to be written.
The 39-year-old boxer pummeled Argentinian puncher Lucas Matthysse Saturday night to notch his first knockout win in almost a decade. And with the win at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Pacquiao upped his record to 60-7-2, with 39 KOs, and earned his opponent’s WBA regular welterweight title while full champion Keith Thurman continues to sit idle with injuries.
The Filipino senator looked surprising fast and agile to score his first stoppage since besting Miguel Cotto in 2009. But back then, Pacquiao was in his prime.
“Rumors of Pacquiao’s demise, which were fueled in part by his puzzling decision to cut ties with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, proved far too premature as longtime cornerman Buboy Fernandes and strength coach Justin Fortune took over the lead,” wrote CBS Sports’s Brian Campbell. “Unlike his disputed decision loss to Jeff Horn last July in their title bout, Pacquiao looked focused and prepared.”
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