Manny Pacquiao wins his 60th career fight with KO in seventh round

Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao clinched his 60th victory on Sunday with a seventh round knockout of Argentine Lucas Matthysse, his first stop in nine years, which will help revive his career

Pacquiao, 39, declared his "convincing victory" in the welterweight title fight World Boxing Association, his 12th championship win, showed age is not a barrier.

He rebounded from his disappointing loss last year to Australian Jeff Horn and his win could extend his boxing career that had taken a step back from his political life as a Filipino senator.

"That's it, I'm back in boxing," Pacquiao said. "I'm not finished, I'm still here."

"It's just a matter of time."

He said that coaching with new coach Buboy Fernandes , having left Freddie Roach as a longtime coach before the fight, was efficient and that he felt comfortable. "At the beginning of the first round, I had in mind that I could control the fight but our strategy is to be patient, to take the time, not to rush, not to be negligent as "

His badault dropped Matthysse on one knee in the third and fifth rounds, a third whistle in the seventh round led Matthysse to spit his spokesman, causing a frenzy among Pacquiao fans in the stage.

"I do not brag but … I think he's suffering from my blows. Every punch I throw, he's hurt. I think he's scared of my shots, "said Pacquiao.

Matthysse, who has won 36 out of 39 games by knockout, praised Pacquiao as a" great fighter, a great legend "and said that He would pause.

"This is part of boxing. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad also attended the fight, the country's biggest boxing match 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 for bringing the Filipino nation together once again," said Duterte, who traveled to Malaysia earlier for the fight before official visit. statement that Pacquiao has proven himself as "one of the greatest boxers of all time" and that victory will cement his legacy in the sport.

Scores of screaming Filipino fans in the stadium wave flags and chant "Manny Manny" throughout the match. Pacquiao's rise from an impoverished rural boy to one of the world's richest sportsmen during his 23-year career has made him a national hero.

Pacquaio said that he would return to his job at the moment but do not hang up the gloves just yet.

"I am addicted to boxing, I really love to fight and honor my country.It is the desire of my heart," he added

. Filipino Jhack Tepora defeated Edivaldo Oretga of Mexico with a knockout to win the interim WBA featherweight title Carlos Canizales of Venezuela defended his world flyweight title against Chinese Lu Bin, preventing him to make history by becoming the first boxer to win a major world title in just two career fights The South African Moruti Mthalane won a unanimous twelve-round decision against Pakistani Muhammad Waseem to capture the title of weight fly of the IBF

For all the latest sports news, download Indian Express App