THE last time Manny Pacquiao won by knockout was nine years ago. He stopped Miguel Cotto in 2009, when the referee, taking pity on the badly battered Puerto Rican, halted the fight midway into the 12th and final round.
Pacquiao has had 37 knockouts before that. He has a total of 57 wins, absorbing six defeats and drawing twice in a career spanning nearly 25 years.
He is 39 now, turning 40 on December 17.
Pacquiao is set to fight Lucas Matthysse on July 15 in Kuala Lumpur, whose only claim to world boxing was its hosting the Ali-Bugner bout of decades back.
You think Pacquiao stands a chance against the knockout specialist from Chubot, Argentina?
Not only is Matthysse the reigning world welterweight champion of the World Boxing Association (WBA), he also packs a killer blow, having knocked out 36 of his 39 victims. If that is not impressive enough, then consider Pacquiao’s eight division world crowns a fluke.
While Pacquiao is easily considered an old fogey already at 39, I guess not Matthysse, who is 35.
The age difference should make the Argentinian the hands-down favorite in the 12-round fight.
From 2009, when Pacquiao stopped Cotto, up to last year, when Pacquiao lost on points to Australian Jeff Horn in 12 rounds, the fighting senator seemed to have lost his punching power.
In that span of time, he suffered three of his total of six career losses. Worse, he absorbed a terrible sixth-round knockout defeat to Marquez along the way.
Was that knockout to Marquez in 2012?
After that horrific stoppage—Pacquiao had lain motionless for several deathly seconds on the canvas—many said it was time for him to retire.
PacMom Dionesia, Pacquiao’s mother, when interviewed after that knockout, kept screaming, “Stop na! Stop na talaga!” Translation: No more fighting for my son!
But Pacquiao wouldn’t take heed—like most fighters nearing their sunset years do.
As always, those who have reached the top are the hardest to convince to step down. Mule-stubborn, they cling on like barnacles to a false pride.
Some plod on for the money.
Pacquiao? Money isn’t a problem for him anymore, it seems, but still, those close to him say he still needs more moolah. The rumor mill is pregnant with talks he has obligations too many to fulfill. Thus, quitting isn’t an option at the moment.
And so, he is going to fight again.
Even if the sting in his fists isn’t there anymore.
Even if the spring in his legs isn’t there anymore. Even if the razor-sharp combinations aren’t there anymore.
Thus, in his coming fight, I don’t see a clear advantage for Pacquiao.
Pacquiao hasn’t fought for almost a year, making him vulnerable to a corrosion attack. Rust rests on the stagnant.
If only three of Matthysse’s 39 victims survived his knockout blows, what does that tell you of Matthysse?
But Pacquiao choosing him as his 66th foe tells us more: Ego.
And Pacquiao knocking out Matthysse? Why, at 39, happy days are here again.
He’d bark at the world: “Vegas, I’m back!”
THAT’S IT Again, the man in the mirror is saying, “Talk to me. Be honest with me. You still dig The Beatles? You still down bottles the way you used to—easily?” Life’s been good all these years. The man in the mirror can’t complain. His God’s keeping watch over him without fail. Happy birthday to Jake P. Ayson and Dr. Lito Durante! Happy birthday, too, to Francesco Dakila Sadiwa aka Ikap!