Manila: President Rodrigo Duterte’s meeting with Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad is expected to start on a positive note with the boxing victory by Senator Manny Pacquiao underscoring the first ever meeting by the two Southeast Asian leaders.

Duterte arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday evening to watch the Pacquiao’s match with Lucas Matthysse on Sunday. The Filipino leader was joined by Mahathir in the audience.

The Filipino knocked out the Argentinian fighter on the seventh round.

Reports quoted Duterte’s spokesman Harry Roque, as saying that on Monday, the two leaders are expected to meet in Perdana Putra in Putrajaya the Malaysian seat of parliament.

Duterte and Mahathir are expected to exchange ideas on bilateral concerns that include addressing the common threat from Daesh-inspired terror groups, the peace process involving the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) among others.

For nearly ten years, Malaysia had hosted peace negotiations between the MILF and the Philippine government. In 2010, both sides had agreed to a formal ceasefire as well as the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

Duterte fully supported the Bangsamoro Basic Law, a measure to provide the Moros of Southern Philippines enhanced self-rule. The consolidated Senate- and House-approved measure is now in the final stages of being vetted by both chambers. The President has promised to sign the proposal as soon as it comes to him for approval.

The Philippines’ conflict with Daesh-inspired groups such as the Maute, Abu Sayyaf, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and the Ansar Khalifa Philippines had caused massive material and human losses in May last year.

The 92-year-old Malaysian leader, who had led Malaysia as premier for more than two decades until 2003 and was elected recently elected as Prime Minister after a long hiatus from politics, was expected to officially meet with Duterte, 73, in Perdana Putra in Putrajaya.

Upon winning the fight with his Argentinian adversary, Duterte congratulated Pacquiao “for giving us pride and bringing the Filipino nation together once more.”

“May you continue to inspire Filipinos not only in boxing but also in public service,” the President said.

The 39-year-old Pacquiao’s latest win against Matthysse was his 60th. He has also had nine defeats with two draws.

Pacquiao wowed the audience with his fight against Matthysse on Sunday with a knockout.

The last time Pacquiao knocked out an adversary was in 2009 when he stopped Miguel Cotto.