Former WBA champ Matthysse hangs up gloves after loss to Pacquiao

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Argentine boxer Lucas Matthysse announced his retirement from the ring on Thursday, almost three weeks after losing his World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title to Filipino great Manny Pacquiao.

“Today I decided to hang up my gloves, another stage in my life is beginning,” said the 35-year-old Matthysse, who ends his 43-fight career with a record of 38 wins, 36 inside the distance, for just five defeats and one no contest.

Known as La Maquina, or The Machine, Matthysse, also held the interim WBC super lightweight title. He lost his WBA title to Pacquiao, 39, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 15 after the fight was stopped in the seventh round. As a result, it became Pacquiao’s 11th world title in an incredible career concerning his age that has made him a national hero in his native Philippines.

“Pacquiao is a great boxer, I lost to a legend,” Matthysse said.

“I’m proud to have remained at the top level for 10 years fighting the best in the world.”

(Top photo: Lucas Matthysse of Argentina, left, and Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines in action on July 15, 2018 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): Reuters