Manny Pacquiao, 40, Defeats Keith Thurman and Father Time to Win WBA Welterweight Title
Pac-Man has been boxing professionally since 1995, but he still looked ferocious gobbling up the previously unbeaten Thurman.
Manny Pacquiao knocked down Keith Thurman in the first round and went on to win a convincing split-decision victory Saturday night, capturing a WBA welterweight title after a thrilling 12-round slugfest.
The 40-year-old Pacquiao (62-7-2), who also serves as a Senator in his native Philippines and has has been a pro boxer since 1995, dropped the previously unbeaten Thurman with a combination late in the first round, and put on a performance that evoked the ferocious prime of the only eight-division champion in boxing history.
The 30-year-old Thurman (29-1) tested the legendary Pacquiao’s chin with big shots as both boxers fought at a furious pace in front of a sellout crowd at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, but in the end, Pac-Man’s first-round knockdown made the difference.
“It was fun,” Pacquiao said after the fight. “My opponent is a good fighter and boxer. He was strong…I think he did his best, and I did my best. I think we made the fans happy tonight because it was a good fight.”
Two judges scored the bout 115-112 for Pacquiao, while a third scored it 114-113 for Thurman.
From George Foreman to Rocky himself, unrelenting support poured in for Manny Pacquiao after he reclaimed his WBA Welterweight title 🏆 pic.twitter.com/2QFmUJ5unu
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) July 21, 2019
Pacquiao, who already owned one version of the WBA welterweight title, continues his recent comeback after back-to-back wins over Lucas Mattyhysse and Adrien Broner, which came after a controversial decision loss to Jeff Horn in 2017.
“I knew it was close,” Thurman said after the fight. “He had the momentum because he got the knockdown in Round 1…I wish I had a little bit more output to go toe to toe. My conditioning, my output was just behind Manny Pacquiao’s tonight. Tonight was a blessing and a lesson.”
I’ve always said I’m not afraid to let my 0 go, if you can beat me — beat me. @MannyPacquiao beat me tonight. Hats off to the Senator on a great performance. #OneTime #PacThurman pic.twitter.com/piX4A6lUOA
— Keith Thurman Jr. (@keithfthurmanjr) July 21, 2019
Before the fight, Floyd Mayweather got into the ring and wished both fighters good luck. The retired pound-for-pound superstar watched from the crowd in the same arena where he thoroughly outboxed Pacquiao four years ago in their historic—if ultimately disappointing—superfight.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, has said he hopes Mayweather will come out of retirement for a rematch with Pacquiao, who has said he fought injured in their first bout.
But many boxing observers believe the two most dangerous active welterweights for Pacquiao at this point are Terrence Crawford and Errol Spence, both undefeated fighters who are among the most highly-skilled in the sport.
Here, some of the best Twitter reactions to the fight, from Sly Stallone to Stephen A. Smith:
Congratulation to my good friend and Champion Manny Pacquiao!!! An amazing display of Guts and Skill!!! https://t.co/OrFKVdq9JX
— Sylvester Stallone (@TheSlyStallone) July 21, 2019
Congratulations Manny Pacquiao what a Champion. “Senator Pac-Man”
— George Foreman (@GeorgeForeman) July 21, 2019
LEGENDS LIVE FOREVER!
Boxing’s only eight-division World Champion @MannyPacquiao def. Keith Thurman via SD! pic.twitter.com/DdYcnYlF7c
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) July 21, 2019
Should not have even been a split decision. @MannyPacquiao outclassed him most of the fight, period. Wasn’t even close. At least the final decision was the right now. But if Pacman knows what’s good for him, he’ll stay away from @terencecrawford and @ErrolSpenceJr. I know THAT!
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 21, 2019
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