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Manny Pacquiao hasn't fought since he upset Keith Thurman in July 2019 to win the WBA Welterweight title, and there is reason for some.
Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines, right, strikes Lucas Matthysse of Argentina during their WBA World welterweight title bout in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday, July 15, 2018. Pacquiao won the WBA welterweight world title after a technical knockout in round seven. (AP Photo/Yam G-Jun) (Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
Manny Pacquiao won by knockout for the first time in nine years to claim the World Boxing Association welterweight title, and made a proclamation.
'This is it. I am back in boxing,' the 39-year-old Pacquiao said after his seventh-round knockout of Lucas Matthysse on Sunday. 'I am not done. I'm still there.'
It was Pacquiao's first bout since a contentious loss last year to Jeff Horn in Australia, and since parting ways with longtime trainer Freddie Roach to work with Buboy Fernandez.
'It's just a matter of time. You have to rest and get it back and that's what I did.'
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Lucas Matthysse, left, of Argentina falls after receiving a punch by Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines during their WBA World welterweight title bout in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (AP)
Pacquiao (60-7-2, 39 KOs) knocked Matthysse down onto one knee in the third and fifth rounds. He knocked the Argentine down again in the seventh, and Matthysse spat out his mouthpiece, causing a frenzy among Pacquiao fans in the stadium.
'I am not boasting but ... I think he's hurting from my punches,' said Pacquiao, who hadn't won by knockout since 2009. 'Every punch that I throw, he's hurt. I think he's scared of my punches.'
Matthysse, who won 36 out of 39 matches by knockout, said Pacquiao was a 'great fighter, a great legend,' adding that he planned to take a break.
Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines, left, celebrates after defeating Lucas Matthysse of Argentina during their WBA World welterweight title bout in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (AP)
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad attended the fight, the biggest in the country since the 1975 heavyweight clash between Muhammad Ali and Australian Joe Bugner.
'I would like to congratulate Senator Manny Pacquiao for giving us pride and bringing the Filipino nation together once more,' said Duterte, who flew to Malaysia for the bout ahead of an official visit.
Duterte said in a statement that Pacquiao has proven himself again as 'one of the greatest boxers of all time' and that the win will cement his legacy in the sport.
Scores of screaming Filipino fans in the stadium waved flags and chanted 'Manny, Manny' throughout the match. Pacquiao's rise to fame from an impoverished rural childhood to become one of the world's wealthiest sportsmen over his 23-year career has made him a national hero.
Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines poses after defeating Lucas Matthysse of Argentina during their WBA World welterweight title bout in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday, July 15, 2018. (AP)
Pacquaio said he will return to his work as a senator for now but won't be hanging up the gloves just yet.
'I am addicted to boxing. I really love to fight and bring honor to my country,' he said. 'That's my heart's desire.'
Horn, who lost his WBO welterweight title to Terence Crawford in Las Vegas last month, was quick to respond to Pacquiao's victory.
'Congratulations Manny Pacquiao,' Horn posted on Instagram. 'Rematch?'
In the other title fights, Filipino Jhack Tepora had a knockout win over Edivaldo Oretga of Mexico for the interim WBA featherweight title. Venezuela's Carlos Canizales defended his WBA world light flyweight title against China's Lu Bin, who had been aiming to become the first boxer to win a major world title in just two career fights. South African Moruti Mthalane got a unanimous decision against Pakistan's Muhammad Waseem to capture the IBF flyweight title.
Updated 1:29 PM EST Dec 15, 2019
Manny Pacquiao handed Keith Thurman his first loss Saturday night in a WBA welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) took the fight in a split decision with scores of 115-112 on two of the judges' scorecards. One judge had Thurman (29-1, 22 KOs) at 114-113.
“He’s not an easy opponent. He’s a good fighter. He’s a good boxer. Strong,' the 40-year-old Pacquiao said of Thurman.
“He did his best and I did my best, so the people will be happy.'
The 30-year-old Thurman, who had called the bout a 'legacy fight' in the lead-up, appears more than willing to rematch the boxing legend.
“I wish I had a little bit more output to go toe-to-toe. I felt like he was getting a little bit tired. But he did have experience in the ring,' Thurman said.
“My conditioning, my output was just behind Manny Pacquiao. It was a great night of boxing. I would love the rematch. It is what it is, baby.'
USA TODAY Sports' Josh Peter provided his round-by-round analysis throughout the championship fight:
Round 1: Chants of Manny, Manny. But nothing happening early. Manny threw a big right hook but missed. Now Thurman moving forward and throws decent punches. Thurman lands a good right hand. Manny fires back and Thurman covering up. Manny moving forward. But Thurman lands a combination. Thurman lands another solid right. big left by Thurman. Manny knocks down Thurman! Catches him with a surprising punch. Square on the chin that punch landed. But Thurman up and will survive the round.
Peter's score: Manny 10, Thurman 8.
Round 2: Thurman looks re-energized. Manny firing a flurry of punches. Manny coming hard now. Forcing the action. Thurman looks a little unsteady. Thurman lands a right. Not ready to fold here. Another right by Manny. Followed by a combo. Looking sharp. Yet another combo and body punches by Manny. But Thurman coming back and firing some punches. Manny has Thurman wobbling again and now Manny’s showboating!
Manny 20, Thurman 17.
Round 3: Thurman trying to be the aggressor. But Manny keeping him off-balance. Thurman has Manny backed up in a corner, but can’t do anything with it. Manny lands a good right. Here comes Thurman, but Manny quickly goes on offense. Looks comfortable fighting off the ropes or at center of the ring. Thurman staying active, but Manny lands again.
Manny 29, Thurman 27.
Round 4: Thurman stalking. Now has Manny on the ropes but doesn’t capitalize. Manny now counters and flails as he unloads punches. Manny looks significantly faster. Manny landing another flurry. Body punches and punches to the head. But Thurman looks solid on his feet. Big punch from Thurman nearly connects. But Manny escapes.
Manny 39, Thurman 36.
Round 5: Thurman once against stalking. Clearly intends to remain the aggressor. Thurman unloading and lands a solid right. Still pressing. Thurman lands another right and back comes Manny, but nothing serious. Blood coming from Thurman’s nose. Manny delivering more combinations, to body and head. But here comes Thurman. Thurman misses and Manny makes him pay. Manny closing round hard.
Manny 49, Thurman 45.
Round 6: Again, Thurman forces action. Now stalking Manny. Firing but landing nothing solid. In fact, Manny lands a stinging right. Manny seems happy to counter and use his footwork. Now Thurman lands a solid right. Now Manny stalking. And throwing punches. No serious damage here.
Manny 58, Thurman 55.
Round 7: Thurman firing. Manny covers up and avoids anything serious. Thurman plan the same — stalk. No sign that it’s a sound plan. Big right by Thurman. Another solid right. Solid left from Thurman. Thurman finally looks in control. For now. A big right hand and nice left hook from Thurman. Manny counters but Thurman fires back. Best action of the night.
Manny 67, Thurman 65.
Round 8: Manny letting his fists fly. Circling Thurman. Footwork propelling him. Now the fighters are settling in the middle of the ring. Thurman lands a nice jab. Withstanding Manny flurry. More blood leaking from Thurman’s nose, and here comes Manny, unloading his combination of punches. Thurman closes with a nice right.
Manny 77, Thurman 74.
Round 9: Thurman connects with a right. After a slow start to the round. Fighters tiring, perhaps? Slow left from Thurman. Fighters might be looking to recharge here. Thurman walking Manny into a corner and throws a few punches. Now has him backed up on the ropes. But here comes Manny. Nice exchange here at the end of the round.
Manny 86, Thurman 84.
Round 10: Thurman again stalking. Manny happily countering. Manny catches Thurman with a left. Neither fighter able to assert himself. Now here they go, exchanging a flurry. Thurman appears to be hurt. Manny chasing him down. Unclear what happened, but Thurman now backpedaling. But back comes Thurman. Terrific round.
Manny 96, Thurman 93.
Round 11: Thurman looks OK despite having taken a punishing body shot during the 10th round. But Manny looks in control. Now he’s doing the stalking. Well, back comes Thurman. Neither backing away. Thurman lands a big right hand. Manny dancing. Away from Thurman. But moments later Manny is firing punches again.
Manny 105, Thurman 103.
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Round 12: Thurman wisely out fast and aggressive. He’ll need a KO to win this fight. But Manny's unorthodox style keeps him off-balance. Manny throwing punches and maybe looking for a KO himself. Solid exchanges here. Manny not playing it safe. Thurman unloading, but nothing big landing. Manny throwing combos. Thurman lands a right.
Manny 115, Thurman 112.
Updated 1:29 PM EST Dec 15, 2019
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