KUALA LUMPUR – It appears retirement will have to wait for Manny Pacquiao.
In the aftermath of his seventh-round destruction of Lucas Matthysse to win his 12th world title on Sunday, the 39-year-old Filipino immediately bared plans to defend the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title he wrested from his 35-year-old opponent from Argentina.
“My next fight I want to defend my title, my belt and give a good show and do my best inside the ring,” he said.
Following his stunning unanimous decision loss to Jeff Horn last year in Brisbane, Australia, where majority believed he was exposed as a great fighter now way past his prime, calls were made for Pacquiao to finally hang up his gloves.
But the greatest Filipino fighter ever remained as defiant as ever.
“Do I look like 39?" he asked, drawing cheers from his audience.
“As a 39 year-old, I’m still OK, I’m still fine,” added Pacquiao. “When you see me prepare for this fight, you can tell that I’m just like a 27-year-old.”
He said the layoff and the decision to re-strategize training in his camp helped a lot in keeping him fresh for his comeback fight against Matthysse.
“I’m not gone, I’m still here,” Pacquiao added. “It’s just a matter of time and getting some rest.”
He mentioned the likes of welterweight champion Terrence Crawford, lightweight king Vasyl Lomachenko, and Amir Khan as possible foes for him, although he refused to commit facing any of them in his next fight
“But I still I don’t know. Right now, I'm just so happy," said Pacquiao. "I am addicted to boxing. I really love to fight and bring honor to my country. That's my heart's desire."
Horn, who has since lost his WBO welterweight title to Terence Crawford in Las Vegas last month, was quick to respond to Pacquiao's victory.
"Congratulations Manny Pacquiao," Horn posted on Instagram. "Rematch?"
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