Philippines, 29 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Pacquiao risked his life in KL


PhilBoxing.com





UPON his return to Buenot Aires, dethroned WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse started lashing out at critics who trashed the Argentine Machine for quitting his championship fight with Manny Pacquiao in Kuala Lumpur last weekend.
Matthysse tersely claimed he did the best he could ? but things did not play out as planned.

Kinder critics said Matthysse came to fight, but suffered stage fright upon realizing how big the fight was.

**

Pacquiao said Matthysse must?ve lost focus after tasting his punches in the first round. Paquiao said he readily saw fear in Matthysse?s eyes.

Pacquiao?s first knockout win in nine years was hailed and celebrated in the country and all over the world.

Praises poured, including from Floyd Mayweather Jr., who acknowledged Pacquiao?s sharpness and maturity.

Bob Arum said he would come next month to discuss a possible fight against world pound-for-pound star Terence Crawford, undefeated WBO welterweight champion.

**

Close to the KL fight,Pacquiao claimed he felt very great, renewed.

But as things would turn out, he was not truly healthy and ready for the championship.

Aquiles Zonio, Pacquiao?s chief information officer, revealed that Pacquiao fought against doctors? order, after the eight-division world title winner was diagnosed suffering from a serious heart ailment.

Pacquiao was required to sign a waiver before being allowed to leave for the Kuala Lumpur assignment.

**

As Zonio related: Pacquiao was rushed to the Cardinal Santos Memorial Hospital 3:00 p.m on July 8 after suffering hardness of breathing. A subsequent angiogram procedure, which lasted until 3:00 a.m. the next day, showed Paquiao was suffering from an inborn heart ailment.

Pacquiao was told to cancel the fight. No way, Pacquiao cried.
He flew back to GenSan City at 7:00 a.m.July 9. No team member was told of the problem in order to avoid demoralization. At the same time, Pacquiao vowed to do everything to win the fight.
Pacquiao flew to Kuala Lumpur for the July 15 championship 3:00 p.m. July 9. He did not train upon arriving in the Malaysian capital.

It would be reveled Pacquiao had to skip daily training nine times in the two-month period of preparation.

Zonio said Pacquiao risked his life to fulfill his mission to make his countrymen proud and happy.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Cabrera-Zapata Kicks Off All Star Boxing's 2026 Season
    , Thu, 29 Jan 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines: Cash prizes, FIDE rating at stakes this Sunday
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 29 Jan 2026
  • IBP Fun Run & Family Day on February 15
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 29 Jan 2026
  • TEOFIMO LOPEZ AND SHAKUR STEVENSON FACE-OFF AT KNICKS GAME AS COUNTDOWN TO ‘THE RING 6’ ON SATURDAY BEGINS
    , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Davao to sponsor P500K in IRONMAN 70.3
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • JOSH KELLY SOUNDS WARNING TO WORLD TITLE RIVAL BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV AS HE TARGETS HISTORIC NORTH EAST HOMECOMING
    , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Gallegos and Alvarez Shine Bright with Knockout Wins at Fontainebleau Las Vegas
    , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Pedro Carrasco Remembered in Spain 25 Years After His Passing
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Gensan Outdoor, Gensan Educator support MFPI 5th Mindanao Summit in Mt. Apo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Vitor vs Subkhankulov, Tapales vs Kalsynov in Double IBF Asia Title Fights in Moscow on Feb. 13
    By Dong Secuya, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • “It’s about owning my own journey” Jeanine Brown retuns for Title Clash March 13 – Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Long Boxing Journey settles in New Bedford, MA for Junior Featherweight prospect Joshua Alvarado
    , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Steph Curry is 19th leading scorer of the NBA
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Ocum is WBC Asian lightweight champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh Believes he will stop Jarrell Miller this Saturday at Madison Square Garden
    , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • David Ray Sarmiento finishes second place in Cologne January Blitz 2026.
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 25 JANUARY 2026: Raymund Muratalla Edges Andy Cruz; Walsh Outpoints Ocampo
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • MFPI 5th Mindanao Summit at Mt. Apo on February 19-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • OLYMPIC BOXING 8: 1948 OLYMPICS AT LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • Golden Gloves Launches on Meta Quest Store, Establishing the First Official Esports Competition Pathway for Amateur Boxing
    , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • Andy Cruz vs Raymond Muratalla: Who Will Execute?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Libranza to fight undefeated Tso for IBF Pan Pacific bantam
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Filipino Cue Artist RJ Bautista Ready to Shine at the Las Vegas Open 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • MURATALLA VS. CRUZ WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
    , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
    , Sat, 24 Jan 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.