In photos: Pacquiao’s power knockout punch sends shocked Matthyse to the floor

Argentina’s Lucas Matthysse reacts after he was knocked down by Philippines’ Manny Pacquiao during their world welterweight boxing championship bout at Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur on July 15, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Mohd RASFAN
Argentina’s Lucas Matthysse reacts after he was knocked down by Philippines’ Manny Pacquiao during their world welterweight boxing championship bout at Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur on July 15, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Mohd RASFAN
The referee counts after Philippines’ Manny Pacquiao knocked down Argentina’s Lucas Matthysse (R) during their world welterweight boxing championship bout at Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur on July 15, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Mohd RASFAN
Argentina’s Lucas Matthysse reacts after he was knocked down by Philippines’ Manny Pacquiao during their world welterweight boxing championship bout at Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur on July 15, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Mohd RASFAN

(Eagle News) — Philippine boxing legend and senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao proved his critics wrong that he no longer had that power punch that can send opponents down in the ring.

In these photos taken by Agence France Presse photographer Mohd Rasfan during Sunday’s (July 15, 2018) fight in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Pacquiao stood tall and strong even at 39 when he sent Matthyse down on the floor with his power punches that shocked the Argentinian who, ironically, had won 36 of his previous 39 wins via knockout.

This was also the first technical knockout (TKO) defeat for the 35-year old Argentinian, known as “La Maquina” or “The Machine,” who before the fight only lost four times – one by knockout, one by unanimous decision, and two by split decision.

This seventh-round knockout by Pacquiao of Matthyse was the Filipino legend’s 60th win in a boxing career spanning 23 years, and his first knockout win in the last nine years.

With the win, Pacquiao regained the title of World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight champion.