Manny Pacquiao takes on Keith Thurman at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas on July 20th what it is billed as the WBA Supremacy bout. Both boxers appeared at a Los Angeles press conference on Wednesday, as Thurman reiterated he will send Pacquiao into retirement;
I'm excited to be the guy who shows him the exist's on the left, ...he's 40, I'm 30... - Keith Thurman.
Standing at 5ft 7in tall and a reach of 70in, Thurman poses a formidable threat to Pacquiao, who stands at a lesser 5ft 6in height and a reach of 69in. Are Thurman's words just another empty threat? or Should the Pac-Man really look into retirement after a long, illustrious boxing career?
Manny 'Pac-Man' Pacquiao needs no introduction to the boxing community, at age 40 and 24-active years, the only boxer with titles in 8 division and have been involved in several blockbuster bouts that include the Oscar De La Hoya bout, Floyd Mayweather Jnr bout, to mention a couple, a boxing records that stand at (61-7-2, 39 KOs), the Pan-Man had seen it all. So, what could the Filipino senator still be looking for at this prime age of his career? shouldn't he be retired and focus on his political career? like they say, it is best to leave the stage when the ovation is loudest. Some argue in his defence though, they claimed boxing is his life, and that he just wants to keep on doing what he does best. Fair enough, but the world does not want to see the Pac-Man forced into retirement.
To the Pac-Man's credit, he never feel intimidated by Thurman's remarks, he had never felt intimidated by any boxer, not even to Mayweather Jnr, such as the cool, calm, humble nature of the Pac-Man at every weigh-in and press conferences,
I've been boxing for 2 decades and I'm never scared or intimidated, ...it's easy for my opponent to talk before the fight, and I'm used to everything they say. But when we get to the ring, it changed - Manny Pacquiao
Keith Thurman, a 30-year-old American boxer is an accomplished fighter too, former unified Welterweight World Champion, and still unbeaten at (29-0-0, 22 KOs). He had won and defended his WBC & WBA Welterweight titles at different times against the likes of Robert Guerrero, Luis Collazo, Shawn Porter, Danny Oscar Garcia & Josesito Lopez, all Americans. Unfortunately for Thurman, an injury to his right elbow halted his gravy train in April 2017, and he remained out of the ring for 22 months, vacating his world titles. Thurman's 1st bout since the long layoff was a 12-round decision victory over Josesito Lopez in January 2019, and after his victory, he said,
...i want to quiet the naysayers who think that Keith Thurman has lost his passion & skills in boxing. I believe I'm the best Welterweight in the division and in the world - Thurman.
The odds favour Thurman to win over Pacquiao, and perhaps so, he is 10years younger than Pacquiao. However, The Filipino said he likes it when the odds are against him,
I like it that I am the underdog for this fight, it gives me extra motivation to work hard in training - Pacquiao
If the Pac-Man is able to pull a victory over Thurman, I am of the opinion that Manny Pacquiao should bow out on a high and for good. If Thurman will be able to match his strong words with action and victory over Pacquiao come July 2oth remains to be seen.
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