By Elisinio Castillo
Lucas Matthysse (39-5, 36 KOs) is not sure about the future.
Last night, the dangerous puncher was overwhelmed in his first defense of the WBA "regular" welterweight title.
He was knocked down three times and stopped in the seventh round by eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao at the Axiata Arena of Kuala Lumpur.in Malaysia.
Matthysse, at 35 years old, is at the crossroads of his long career.
Before the contest took place, Matthysse said that everything was on the line for his career in this contest.
"Right now I'm not thinking about anything, let's see after I go back to the gym. I got to the top, I have fought and lost with some of the best pound for pound fighters out there. I will see if I plan to continue [my career] once I get back home," Matthysse said.
"I will take a rest and go home with my head raised very high. I came and got in there, but nothing played out as I wanted. I think I have been able to reach the highest point that a fighter can reach and I faced one of the best fighters in history, so now I'm going to rest and see if I intend to continue [my career].
"He is a legend and a great champion. You win and you lose, and today I had to lose."
Back in 2015, Matthysse was knocked out in tenth round of his fight with Viktor Postol.
In that contest he suffered a fractured orbital bone, which kept him out of the ring until May of 2017, when he returned as a welterweight and pulled of a fifth round knockout of Emmanuel Taylor.
In January, he captured the WBA "regular" title, which was vacant, with an eight round knockout of unknown and untested Tewa Kiram. At the time of the KO, Matthysse was winning a split decision on the official cards, but he didn't appear to be fighting at his best.