It’s experience against youth when Pacquiao meets Thurman
Credit to Author: EDDIE G. ALINEA| Date: Thu, 23 May 2019 16:16:19 +0000
It will be experience against youth when two World Boxing Association welterweight champions — Manny Pacquiao and Keith Thurman battle on July 20 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
This was how the protagonists see their coming encounter.
“He (Thurman) said he’s young, but we’ll see who looks young in the ring on July 20. I’m going to let my fists say everything for me,” Pacquiao, the regular WBA 147-pound belt owner said on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) during the second and final day of two-city, three media tour day to hype the coming 12-round confrontation.
“We will work hard in training camp like always for this fight. We’re not going to take Keith Thurman lightly or underestimate him,” the Philippine Senator said.
“He’s a world champion. I’m thankful for what he’s been saying, because it’s giving me motivation to prove that at 40-years-old, I feel 29,” Pacquiao asserted — reafirming what he’s been saying since taking the measure of Thurman’s fellow American Adrien Broner last January.
Thurman, for his part said, “This is a big fight as far as the stage goes, but it’s a big fight against a little guy. He’s a veteran and I’ve dismantled veterans in the past.”
Thurman expressed belief he could destroy Pacquiao had this fight been scheduled as early as five years ago. “ I’ve always been ready for this fight. He’s never fought someone like me with this kind of lateral movement, speed and power. I’m coming for him, “
Thurman, undefeated with an immaculate 29-win-0-loss card with, 22 KOs, and Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 KOs) kicked off their media tour on Tuesday at the Gotham Hall in New York City.
The Filipino ring icon pointed out he’s banking on his experience, which, he believes, will be useful against an unbeaten opponent like Thurman. “I’m going to use that experience of losing for the first time.”
He said he’s still enjoying fighting even at age 40 and still having fun enjoying the sports he loves most.
He said he chose Thurman because he’s a great fighter, he’s undefeated and can give a good fight to the fans. “I want to make the fans happy on that night and show that I can still go toe-to-toe with any opponent.”
“It’s easy for my opponents to talk before the fight, and I’m used to everything they say. But when we get to the ring, it changes, and it will change on July 20,” he stressed.
Pacquiao sees his showdown with Thurman as a once in a lifetime fight that would merit to be a “Fight of the Year,” promising to be full of action from start.
“Most of my (previous) opponents “were bigger than me and I beat them all. When we get into the ring, it doesn’t matter. This has happened before and it will happen again against Thurman.”
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