ROUND 1: Pacquiao clear aggressor in opening round

Philippine senator and boxing hero Manny Pacquiao, left, and Argentine World Boxing Association welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse pose after weigh-ins in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, July 14, 2018. Matthysse and Pacquiao are scheduled to fight on July 15, for the World Boxing Association welterweight title in Malaysia. (AP Photo/Yam G-Jun)

It’s been more than a year since Manny Pacquiao fought and he returned to challenge Lucas Matthysse for the WBA World welterweight title Sunday at Axiata Arena in Malaysia.

This is Pacquiao’s (59-7) 23rd World title fight and 11th as a welterweight where he has an 8-3 record.

Matthysse (39-4), meanwhile, is 1-2 in World title fights and is making his first defense of the WBA belt after he won against Tewa Kiram in January 2018.

Pacquiao wasn’t in full aggression but he was able to land a couple of stiff jabs in the first minute of the fight and mixed it up midway through the first round going into Matthysse’s body.

With the fight staying pretty much in the center of the ring, Pacquiao was able to sneak in two-punch combos through Matthysse’s guard.

Matthysse was able to graze with some right hooks but Pacquiao was the clear aggressor at the start.