Join Bloody Elbow for live coverage of Saturday night’s special ESPN+ broadcast of WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse (39-4, 36 KOs) taking on iconic eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao (59-7-2, 38 KOs) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
We will have round-by-round updates of Pacquiao vs. Matthysse, with ESPN+ streaming from the Axiata Arena at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT. Following undercard action, the ring walks should be roughly 11 PM ET/8 PM PT, with the fight starting no later than 11:30 PM ET/8:30 PM PT.
Video: Manny Pacquiao vs. Lucas Matthysse highlights
This card is running opposite UFC Fight Night: Dos Santos vs. Ivanov, but when you combine the projected start time of Pacquiao vs. Matthysse with FS1’s horrible pacing, you should be able to catch the UFC headliner after the boxing is over.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Lucas Matthysse
Round 1 – Matthysse throws a straight right to the body. Pacquiao clips Matthysse with a left. He gets in a couple more punches as the crowd cheers him on. Right-left and another right-left by Pacquiao. Then Manny goes to the body with the left. Matthysse lands a shot and then Pacquiao answers to the body again. Slapping right by Matthysse. Sweeping right again by Matthysse but that just misses. 10-9 Pacquiao.
Round 2 – Matthysse sticks out the jab then throws a roundhouse right that’s blocked. His next jab connects. Left uppercut scores for Pacquiao. Matthysse with a short combination. Good counter right by Pacquiao. Right hook by Pacquiao as Matthysse was coming in. Straight left down the middle for Pacquiao. Matthysse catches Manny with a left to the forehead. Bit of a lull in the action in the closing seconds. They each throw and miss as the bell sounds. 20-18 Pacquiao.
Round 3 – Left hook and a right hand by Matthysse, both partially blocked. Matthysse gets dropped! An uppercut did the damage. He’s back to his feet as Pacquiao goes for the finish. Pacquiao with another straight left. Matthysse appears to be on solid legs again. Left hand by Matthysse, then Pacquiao retaliates and lands three good shots. He goes to the body from both sides. Pacquiao in a groove right now. Sets up the left with the jab to get Matthysse again. 30-26 Pacquiao.
Round 4 – Matthysse gets in a jab, but his success rate is not high. Pacquiao backs Matthysse up with his left, then keeps Lucas at bay with his own jab. Matthysse jabs Pacquiao twice. Body shots by Matthysse right on the belt line. Left hook by Matthysse. Right hand connects for Matthysse. Beautiful left by Pacquiao. Uppercutt by Pacquiao whiffs but he cracks Matthysse a few more times anyway. Still Matthysse’s best round, though. 39-36 Pacquiao.
Round 5 – Pacquiao pops Matthysse with three quick punches. He backs Matthysse up and may have hurt him. Matthysse with a jab. Double body shot by Pacquiao. Lovely uppercut by Pacquiao again. He turns up the heat on the Argentine. Jabs and a left around the guard by Pacquiao. Matthysse clashes heads with Pacquiao. Doesn’t appear to be a cut on either man. Stiff left hook by Matthysse. Body shot by Pacquiao answered by Matthysse going upstairs. Counter right hook is there for Pacquiao. And Matthysse just took a knee after getting hit with a shot on the temple. Second knockdown of the fight and the round ends a second later. 49-44 Pacquiao.
Round 6 – Pacquiao just took a very obvious low blow. He takes some time to recover and then resumes beating up Matthysse. Brutal combination punching. Hard left hand sends Matthysse backwards. Pacquiao just landing that left hand at will and Matthysse has few answers. Thudding left snaps Matthysse’s head. Matthysse gets in a left hook and then is warned for leading with his head. Right hook, left hand, body shot by Pacquiao. Triple jab by Pacquiao. Matthysse doubles up on the jab, only to eat another uppercut, then a right hook-left hand combination. Sweeping left to Matthysse’s midsection. 59-53 Pacquiao.
Round 7 – Not much happening in the first half-minute. Stinging left once more by Pacquiao. Matthysse just keeps getting tagged clean. Pacquiao gets marked up, fires off four more punches in return. Vicious uppercut by Pacquiao. Manny remains the aggressor as Matthysse struggles to land the fight-changing power shots. Pacquiao puts Matthysse down for a third time and that’s it! Manny Pacquiao’s first stoppage win in nine years.
Official result: Manny Pacquiao def. Lucas Matthysse by TKO at 2:43 of round 7
Video: Manny Pacquiao vs. Lucas Matthysse highlights
Undercard results
Moruti Mthalane UD12 Muhammad Waseem by unanimous decision (114-113, 114-113, 116-110) to become the new IBF flyweight champion
Carlos Canizales def. Lu Bin by 12th round TKO (2:59) to remain WBA light flyweight champion
Jhack Tepora def. Edivaldo Ortega by 9th round TKO (2:38) to win interim WBA featherweight title
Video: Manny Pacquiao vs. Lucas Matthysse highlights
About the author
