KUALA LUMPUR—Manny Pacquiao had Lucas Matthysse all figured out in the first three minutes of the fight.
Pacquiao said he already sensed his punching power was too much for Matthysse as early as the opening round.
“I know he cannot handle my punches,” Pacquiao said during the post-fight conference Sunday after he delivered a seventh-round knockout for the WBA welterweight crown.
“From the first round, I already felt that he was scared of my punches. I can see it in his eyes and actions.”
It appeared so.
Philippines’ Manny Pacquiao (R) fights Argentina’s Lucas Matthysse during their world welterweight boxing championship bout at Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur on July 15, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Mohd RASFAN
Pacquiao had Matthysse on his heels majority of the bout. A left uppercut knocked Matthysse down in the first round before a crisp jab by Pacquiao hurt him again, forcing him to take a knee before another left uppercut ended it for good.
Pacquiao took solid shots from the Argentine fighter but was never in trouble throughout the fight.
“From the beginning of the first round I knew in my mind already that I can control the fight, but our strategy is to be patient take time don’t rush and don’t be careless just like before,” he said.
The 39-year-old Pacquiao showed no signs of rust despite coming off a one-year layoff since losing to Jeff Horn in Brisbane, Australia.
The eight-division champion earned his 60th win, 39 via knockouts, and 12th title.
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