‘I am going to be Thurman’s teacher,’ says Pacquiao after closing LA camp

LOS ANGELES, USA – Manny Pacquiao thrives on pain and exhaustion.

Turning to savage mode in his closing workout here, Pacquiao showed glimpses of what Keith Thurman would be up against in their collision for the World Boxing Association welterweight crown.

Letting spar mate AB Lopez hit him repeatedly in the body in one instance, Pacquiao then let go a laugh, happy with what his chiseled body can endure.

In another instance, the 8-division world champion told lead trainer Buboy Fernandez to relax, before unloading bombs at the mitts, causing Pacquiao’s childhood buddy to grimace.

Later, Pacquiao taunted Fernandez. “Pagod ka na (Are you tired?)”

Fernandez gamely hanged on, until strength and conditioning coach Justin Fortune asked him to stop.

Pacquiao reluctantly acceded, approaching Fortune, Fernandez, and training consultant Freddie Roach at the corner before unleashing torrents of punches, non-stop, for about a minute.

He looked at them afterwards and the coaching staff responded with wide grins.

Pacquiao sent a message across before they officially closed the four-week camp at Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood and hit the road to Las Vegas for their pay-per-view bout dubbed Welterweight Supremacy on Saturday, July 20 (Sunday, July 21, Philippine time) at the MGM Grand.

Come fight night, Pacquiao intends to teach the loudmouth unbeaten champion (29-0, 22 knockouts) a lesson.

“Keith Thurman has it easy. His only job is to train for this fight. I have 3 jobs. I am a fighter. I am a public servant. And on Saturday, I am going to be Keith Thurman’s teacher,” said Pacquiao.

“I have heard everything he has said about me. I have heard everything he has said he will do to me in the fight. Those things he says about me do not make me angry. They inspire me. This has been the best training camp I have had in years. Keith Thurman thinks he is going to retire me. I am not ready to look back. I am still looking forward. Keith Thurman is going to be very surprised by what he sees from me in the ring. He is going to leave the ring a very disappointed fighter.” – Rappler.com