Matthysse calls it quits after TKO loss to Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines — Lucas Matthysse has announced his retirement from boxing just 18 days after being knocked out by Manny Pacquiao in their one-sided “Clash of Champions” card in Kuala Lumpur.

“I retire from boxing,” said Matthysse in his retirement speech, which he posted on Instagram yesterday, with a photo of him flashing the thumbs-up sign.

“Today, I decide to hang up the gloves because another stage in my life is coming. And many thanks to all of the people that I met thanks in boxing,” he added.

Prior to his match at the Axiata Arena, the pride of Chubut in Argentina had vowed to beat Pacquiao and send the 39-year-old Filipino senator into retirement.

But Matthysse proved no match to Pacquiao, who flashed his old deadly self in scoring three knockdowns and a TKO win in the seventh round.

Instead, it was Matthysse, who failed to defend his WBA welterweight crown, and went into retirement, as Pacquiao moved forward.

Matthysse reportedly was paid $2 million to fight Pacquiao. It was the biggest paycheck in his career, a handsome retirement package.

“Thanks to boxing for changing my life,” he said, trying to remember the good times.

“I remember in my life all of the kids that I met and the tremendous boxers who represented Argentina with good and bad results but it was a great experience in my life that I will always remember,” the 35-year-old said.

“I am proud that I maintained my career for 10 years at the world level, where I fought with the best in boxing and I fulfilled my dream of being a world champion,” he added.

“Thanks to all those who followed me in my career, for all of their love, because that is the most beautiful thing in this sport of boxing, which is a nice environment.”

Pacquiao, meanwhile, is thinking of his next fight.