Manny Pacquiao vs. Lucas Matthysse round by round results: Scores and highlights

Keep up to date with the action from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as Manny Pacquiao and Lucas Matthysse collided for a welterweight world title.

Manny Pacquiao isn’t what he once was, but can he still be a world champion? That was one of the biggest questions as Pac-Man returned to action Saturday night in Kuala Lumpur. Pacquiao was attempting to lift the WBA welterweight title from Lucas Matthysse, perhaps also on the downside of his career.

Almost nothing was the same for Pacquiao heading into this bout. The eight-division titlist said goodbye to longtime trainer Freddie Roach and promoter Top Rank, pretty much going it alone — or at least, keeping things within his own entourage for anything. His accomplishments needed no recapping, as even at age 39 and with many, many in-ring miles on his body, he remained a captivating figure and worldwide star.

His opponent, Matthysse, was definitely the B-side for this encounter, though no slouch at 39-4 (with one no contest) and 36 knockouts. Among his victims were names like Ruslan Provodnikov, Lamont Peterson and Humberto Soto, all of whom Matthysse was able to stop.

Though Pacquiao was pushed around quite a bit in his controversial decision loss to Jeff Horn in his previous fight, the ESPN announcers were quick to point out prior to the bout in Malaysia that Matthysse would not be able to do the same thing since both men were essentially the same size. Both men were looking for milestone victories: 60 for Pacquiao and 40 for Matthysse.

As the challenger, Pacquiao made his ring walk first, an unusual sight without Roach nearby. “Eye of the Tiger” played as he flashed a smile in the back hallway of the arena and gave fist bumps to people nearby.

The 35-year-old Argentinian sported a black and yellow hooded robe and he came out second. Matthysse was decidedly more serious looking, making his walk with a minimum of extraneous movement.

Kenny Bayless was the third man inside the ropes for this one, an experienced referee who had overseen a plethora of big time bouts. The fighters were introduced by Michael Buffer, and we were all set to see what Pac-Man had left in the tank.

Round 1

Both men bounced around as they looked to meet each other in the center of the ring, with Pacquiao showing some nice footwork to land combinations. Matthysse flashed a right hand before eating a counter. One-two by Pacquiao was mostly blocked, but a left to the body landed. Short left by Manny backed up the champ. Plenty of activity for Pac-Man, in case that was a question. Nice right to the body by Matthysse. Looping right from Matthysse just missed in the final 10 seconds.

FanSided scored it: 10-9 Pacquiao

Round 2

Timothy Bradley criticized Matthysse for poor head movement in Round 1. We’ll see if that’s a factor. He tried the overhand right again right off the bat, then a straighter right. Left uppercut and to the body by Pacquiao, then a quick combo that Matthysse tried to answer. One-two by the champ before Pacquiao moved him back. Pac-Man picked off several consecutive punches with his gloves before both men went back to jabbing. Short right hook by Manny got the crowd to ooh a little bit. Body shot by Pacquiao answered quickly by Matthysse. Closer than the first round, but probably still one for Pac-Man.

FanSided scored it: 10-9 Pacquiao, 20-18 Pacquiao after 2 rounds

Round 3

Jabs and hooks began this frame for Matthysse, though Pacquiao’s D still looked pretty tight. Suddenly, Pacquiao landed a quick left and Matthysse hit the canvas. he was up quickly, but with more than two minutes left in the round to survive. The fans were on their feet, obviously excited for the prospect of the first Pac-Man KO in years. That buzz faded as it was apparent Matthysse had his legs back under him. Pacquiao tried to back the champ into a corner, but landed punches even as Matthysse pivoted around the ring.

FanSided scored it: 10-8 Pacquiao, 30-26 Pacquiao after 3 rounds

Round 4

Replays showed it was a left uppercut right between the guard that knocked Matthysse down. Unorthodox, as Manny has always been. Matthysse began Round 4 with jabs and an occasional right as the ref warned Pac-Man not to stray too low.

FanSided scored it: Pacquiao 10-9, 40-35 Pacquiao after 4 rounds

Round 5

CompuBox had Pacquiao out-landing Matthysse in each of the first four rounds. He still looked to set up his right hand, even as he got peppered by quicker shots, including a left hand to the body that drove him back. Kenny Bayless warned both fighters about clashing heads, twice in quick succession. Pac-Man set up a left with the jab, but Matthysse fired back with a stiff right. Nice left hook by Matthysse, then a combo as a response to a body shot. Several shots in a row hit the champ, and he took a knee right near the end of the round.

FanSided scored it: Pacquiao 10-8, 50-43 Pacquiao after 5 rounds

Round 6

Bradley was incredulous that Matthysse took a knee since he didn’t seem badly hurt. Early in Round 6, he hit Pac-Man with a low blow that forced Bayless to call time and brought jeers from the fans. Pacquiao got right back to work, scoring with a left uppercut. A one-two also landed, finishing with a straight left. Matthysse stood in and tried to fire, reaching with a right before eating multiple lefts. Both men landed jabs, and Matthysse attempted more combos before having to cover up from serious incoming body shots. More good jabs from both fighters scored, but Pacquiao followed his with more left hands.

FanSided scored it: Pacquiao 10-9, 60-52 Pacquiao after 6 rounds

Round 7

Could Matthysse find something he hadn’t so far? He still attempted to throw to start this round, pushing Pac-Man’s head down as well. Pacquiao landed a one-two, then a lead left hand. Some near misses as both men circled in the center of the ring. Short left by Pacquiao, then some more of that left uppercut that had served him so well to that point. Matthysse turned a bit more tentative, looking reluctant to let the right hand go and leave himself open. Alas, it didn’t help, as Pacquiao sent him to the canvas again, and Bayless decided he had seen enough, waving a stop to the bout. Pacquiao’s last stoppage win was back in 2009 against Miguel Cotto, almost a decade before Saturday’s fight.

It was another left uppercut that did the damage, set up as Pacquiao stalked with the jab. The ESPN announcers agreed that Matthysse appeared he could have continued, though also admitted the punch that finished the fight was the most thunderous of the night.

The winner by TKO at 2:43 of Round 7 … and new WBA welterweight champion of the world … Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao.