Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao scored a knockout victory against Argentinian fighter Lucas Matthysse in Malaysia, his first stoppage win in almost a decade.
In his first bout since he lost to Jeff Horn in Brisbane in July last year, Pacquiao bagged the World Boxing Association's welterweight title in the fight in Axiata Arena stadium in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.
He knocked out the 35-year-old Matthysse in the seventh round, following a combination of multiple punches.
Before that, the 39-year-old senator also scored knockdowns in the third and fifth rounds, prompting tens of thousands of Filipinos supporters in the stadium to cheer wildly.
The knockout win was the first since 2009 when Pacquiao stopped Miguel Cotto.
It was also the 60th victory of his professional career.
The audience in Kuala Lumpur included Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who sat next to each other, as well as other top government officials from the two countries.
"Like I said, I'm not yet done. I'm still there. And it's just a matter of time that you have to rest and get back," Pacquiao said when asked to give a message to critics who thought he should have retired after his loss to Horn.
When asked what was next for him, Pacquiao said, "I want to defend my title and give a good show in the ring."
Duterte, who gave Pacquiao two thumbs up after the match, congratulated the senator for bringing pride to the Philippines and uniting Filipinos.
"You have proven time and again that you are not just a public servant, but one of the greatest boxers of all time," he said in a statement.
"This win will surely cement, yet again, your position and legacy in boxing's Hall of Fame."
In the Philippines, many Filipinos watched the fight from public gyms where the match was shown live for free.
They jumped in joy, shouted and clapped every time Pacquiao landed a punch against Matthysse.
In the seventh round, the cheers were deafening as the referee stopped the fight with Matthysse kneeling on the canvas.
Filipino boxing analysts said Pacquiao was back in his old form and showed his skill in boxing.
