Duterte wants Pacquiao to retire after KO of Matthysse

Even after watching Senator Manny Pacquiao score his 60th win through a clinical knockout of Lucas Matthysse on Sunday, President Rodrigo Duterte said that he wants to see his “friend” hang the gloves.

“I said he (Pacquiao) is 39,” President Duterte said, relaying his conversation with Pacquiao in an ambush interview after the fight in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Sunday.

The president, however, clarified that it is not because he believes that the Sarangani native cannot win anymore, but to avoid untoward injuries.

“Not because he cannot win or lose, but I’d like to see my friend rest on his laurels at this time and enjoy life. He has so much money already,” Duterte added.

Pacquiao has had issues with shoulder and calf injuries, although it seems that none of these have bothered the boxer in his fight with Matthysse as he even scored his first knockout win in nine years.

During the fight with Floyd Mayweather in 2015, Pacquiao’s camp claimed that the lawmaker tore his rotator cuff, which prevented him from throwing jabs against the undefeated boxer.

The right shoulder appears fine, as even Pacquiao’s knockdown punches came from his vaunted left hand; he used his jabs and the famed “Manila Ice” to break down the Argentinian.

Pacquiao’s calf problems were not a factor in this fight though, as he was seen moving in and out quickly as if he was in his prime. /ee

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