Manny Pacquiao secured his first knockout win since 2009 as he stopped WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse on Sunday.
The 39-year-old knocked down the Argentine as early in the third round with a stunning left uppercut that left fans in awe at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur.
Matthysse continued to struggled as he dropped again in the fifth before crashing down again in the seventh which saw the end of the bout after referee Kenny Bayless stepped in.
“It was a long time ago since I’ve done that. I came out smoking hot,” said Pacquiao who extended his record to 60 wins, seven losses and two draws.
“I’m surprised I knocked him down so early in the third, fifth and seventh. We did a good job in training. We were not pushing hard, we controlled our pace and ourselves.
“I’m no longer young, so thanks to my trainer and all my team members.”
A shell-shocked Matthysse, who had a record of 36 knockouts in 39 wins with just four defeats, admitted Pacquiao was the better man.
“It’s most difficult to be fighting Manny Pacquiao,” he said. “He’s a great fighter. I lost to a great legend.”
