Eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao produced a dominant display to stun Lucas Matthysse with a seventh round knockout and claim the WBA "regular" welterweight title. (photo by Lai Seng Sin/Retuters).

The Filipino boxing legend looked focused and busy from the opening bell and had the 15,000 fans at the Axiata Arena on their feet when he sent the tough as nails Matthysse to the canvas three times with an array of clubbing blows.

The southpaw dropped Matthysse for the final time with a well timed uppercut and the win was sealed as referee Kenny Bayless waved off the contest.

Matthysse hailed Pacquiao as a "great legend" and said he will take a break after his loss.

"This is part of boxing. You win some, you lose some," Matthysse said.

It was Pacquiao's first victory inside the distance since 2009 and improves the eight-division world champion's record to 60-7-2.

The veteran fighter rebounded from his disappointing loss last year to Australian Jeff Horn and his victory could extend his boxing career that had taken a back seat to his political life as a Filipino senator.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad also attended the fight, the biggest boxing match in the country since 1975 heavyweight clash between Muhammad Ali and Australian Joe Bugner.

Pacquiao believes that he sent a clear message - that at 39-years-old he's still one of the best fighters at the weight.

"Like I said, I'm not gone [from boxing]. I'm still there. It's just a matter of time to take rest and then get it back," said Pacquiao to GMA News.

"That's what I did, especially this fight. Bringing a convincing victory, a convincing win, bringing honor to our country.

"As a 39-year-old, I'm still okay, I'm still fine. The way I work hard, you cannot see that I'm 39 years old. When you saw me training and preparing for this fight, you can say. I'm like like 28, 27 years old."