Pacquiao admits he didn't expect to KO Matthysse: Bonus na 'yan

New World Boxing Association welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao on Monday admitted that he had never expected to knockout and defeat Argentinian boxer Lucas Matthysse. 

Pacquiao, who just arrived in General Santos City this afternoon, noted that his latest opponent was a "heavy puncher."

"Hindi ko po... bonus na 'yan. Hindi ko akalain na mapabagsak ko siya ng ganon, ng tatlong beses at ma-knockout ko siya. Talagang siguro bunga ng blessings ng Panginoon and then 'yung pagsakripisyo namin sa training. 'Yung hard work na ginagawa namin talagang matindi," Pacquiao said in an interview on 24 Oras.

"Alam mo si Matthysse malakas din, mabigat 'yung kamay, heavy puncher din siya. Malakas talaga na boxer so 'di tayo pwedeng makumpiyansa. Hindi tayo bara-bara," Pacquiao added.

The Filipino boxing icon said he had strictly followed their game plan of not rushing the fight.

"Nung unang bagsak niya pwede na namin i-rush 'yung game pero delikado rin kung i-rush 'yung game baka makasingit siya ng malakas na suntok dahil malakas din si Matthysse. Ang instruction ng corner ko 'wag magmadali. Kahit bumagsak, depensa pa rin wag maging careless at siguraduhin 'yung depensa. 'Yun ang strategy namin," Pacquiao said.

When asked about his next bout, Pacquiao said he wants to enjoy first his victory.

"Sa ngayon wala pa pong napagusapan. Nageenjoy po muna kami ngayon sa victory. Ienjoy muna natin ang selebrasyon at saka natin pagusapan 'yung next fight," Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao dominated Matthysse before ending the fight in the seventh round via technical knockout on Sunday.

In an earlier interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Pacquiao said he is good for two to three more fights before he entertains the thought of retiring from boxing. —Anna Felicia Bajo/JST, GMA News