By Miguel Maravilla
WBA welterweight world champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 KOs) held a media workout Wednesday afternoon at the Wild Card Boxing Gym in Hollywood, California as he prepares for his showdown with WBA welterweight super champion Keith “One Time”Thurman (29-0, 22 KOs). Pacquiao squares off against Thurman next Saturday July 20 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Manny Pacquiao: “Camp was good we started in the Philippines for a month and been here more than a month. I’m ready. We picked Thurman because we believe we can give good action. I saw his last fight. It was the first in two years. We believe in this fight he will come in one hundred percent. I’m ready to write the next chapter in my career.
“The more Thurman talks, the more it will help me. His words are motivating me and encouraging me to work even harder day after day.”
Pacquiao was joined by his Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach.
Freddie Roach: “Thurman’s a strong guy. He brings a good fight. We don’t take anyone lightly we’re coming in one hundred percent. I hope he brings his best. He’s not a world class fighter.”
Full Pacquiao report coming soon
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On paper, the younger and stronger Thurman should win easily against a forty years old Pacquiao. However, my gut feeling tells me that Pacquiao is really motivated for this fight and will do well against Thurman. I think Thurman could actually get hurt if he tries to stand toe to toe with Pacquiao. Even if Thurman tries to box, I think if Manny throws his punches in bunches from different angles, like he usually does, he will frustrate and even hurt much younger Thurman. This just doesn’t seem like a good fight for Thurman after Josesito Lopez fight.
Most times youth beats old age, although Pacquiao is kind of special. Don’t think he has enough left to beat Thurman.
Manny is definitely special, but let’s not pretend he’s beaten anybody near their prime in the last couple years. I did think he deserved the Decision against Horn, but that it was even debatable tells us all we need to know.
The only reason that it’s a good matchup in my opinion is because of all of Thurman’s inactivity in the last two years. Thurman was caught by Lopez and you have to wonder if he’s all the way back or even if he will ever make it all the way back.
I still lean toward Thurman by Decision. What’s the line on going the Distance? That’s the big bet to make in my opinion.
Manny in 2!