Manny Pacquiao looked sensational in stopping the power-punching Lucas Matthysse. Regis Prograis performed impressively in front of his hometown. And Teofimo Lopez’s backflip was one of the highlights of the entire weekend.
But let’s go a little deeper, and let’s watch (or rewatch) some of the tape. Here’s everything you might have missed in boxing this weekend.
Manny Pacquiao (60-7-2, 39 KOs) TKO 7 over Lucas Matthysse (39-5)
What I loved: This was a surprise. Pacquiao hadn’t knocked out an opponent since 2009, and Matthysse has been known as a strong and steady guy. And yet, Pacquiao dominated the fight, knocking him down twice before delivering the final blow in the seventh round. Pacquiao boxed well, and he looked quick in the ring. I thought Matthysse’s power might trouble Pacquiao, but that never came close to happening. So, one of the best boxers this century lives to fight once again.
The power is still there. #PacMatthysse pic.twitter.com/8VYFS2IecZ
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) July 15, 2018
.@MannyPacquiao drops Lucas Matthysse a third time in round 7, his first knockout win since 2009 (Miguel Cotto) #PacMatthysse pic.twitter.com/SQQ2WrG97V
— Ryan Songalia (@ryansongalia) July 15, 2018
What I didn’t love: Frankly, I expected more from Matthysse, who made a reported purse of $2.5 million and who was only a +170 underdog. But he never showcased his power—in fact, he never really looked all that comfortable in the ring to begin with—and he took way too many hard shots from Pacquiao. Matthysse said he worked hard in training, but it didn’t really show on Saturday. As CompuBox noted, “Pacquiao landed 44% of his power punches. Matthysse landed single-digit punches in six of the seven rounds.”
What it means: If Pacquiao can fight somebody who is about the same size as him (Matthysse had a secondary welterweight title, but he had spent most of his career at junior welterweight), he could perhaps pull out more victories after he turns 40. You know, face fighters like Amir Khan or Maurice Hooker (or as the Sporting News suggested, Adrien Broner). But if he faces somebody like Vasiliy Lomachenko or Terence Crawford, Pacquiao could get seriously hurt. Then again, Lomachenko or Crawford are the kinds of opponents that could make him plenty of money, and that’s always going to be tempting.
Fighting in front of his hometown of New Orleans, Regis Prograis (22-0, 19 KOs) did massive damage to Juan Jose Velasco’s (20-1) body before the referee eventually halted the fight in the eighth round. Is Prograis the best junior welterweight in the world? Based on this performance, it’s awfully possible that he is. Now that he’ll enter the upcoming 140-pound World Boxing Super Series tournament, he’ll get the chance to prove it.
AND ITS OVER!!!!!! Regis Prograis the CHAMP!!!! pic.twitter.com/lkBF5t2Ql9
— 2️⃣9️⃣ (@DhaSickest) July 15, 2018
Hailed as one of the best prospects in boxing, Teofimo Lopez (10-0, 8 KOs) showed his potential on the Prograis-Velasco undercard, pulverizing William Silva (25-2) and finishing him in the sixth round. It was quite a display. And that was before Lopez performed his Fortnite dance and his impressive backflip.
