Pacquiao saw 2 weaknesses on Thurman’s fight vs Garcia

Roy Luarca

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Pacquiao saw 2 weaknesses on Thurman’s fight vs Garcia

AFP

Keith Thurman boasts he’s going to trade punches, but Manny Pacquiao doesn’t see it happening

 

LAS VEGAS, USA – Manny Pacquiao found no need to watch Keith Thurman’s comeback fight versus Josesito Lopez last January 26  in preparation for their World Boxing Association welterweight crown showdown on Saturday, July 20 (Sunday, July 21, Philippine time).

The Fighter of the Decade (2001-2010), however, admitted he reviewed Thurman’s split decision victory over erstwhile undefeated Danny Garcia on March 4, 2017 to unify the 147-pound titles.

And from what he saw, Pacquiao’s sharp, discerning eyes noticed there were loopholes he could exploit to erase Thurman’s 0.

“I saw a couple of weaknesses in Thurman,” Pacquiao told sportswriters at MGM Grand, where the pay-per-view bout billed as Welterweight Supremacy will be held.

His decision to skip Thurman-Lopez was deliberate according to Pacquiao because if he does, “I am going to underestimate him.”

Though Thurman, returning from a 20-month layoff, downed Lopez in the 2nd round, the Mexican was able to recover, even putting Thurman in serious trouble in the 7th. Thurman escaped with a majority decision to extend his win-run to 29, 22 by knockout.

Informed that Thurman drew inspiration from his domination of Adrien Broner in January, Pacquiao merely grinned.

“He has to work hard,” said Pacquiao, the 40-year-old installed by oddsmakers as favorite in his collision with the 30-year-old Thurman.

While Thurman has repeatedly boasted he’s going to trade punches, Pacquiao doubts whether it will really happen.

“I don’ think so,” said Pacquiao, who’s confident of victory following a training camp he described as the best in recent years, putting him in great shape.

According to Pacquiao, he will weigh in at 146 to 147 pounds because speed, not size, will spell the difference.

“I am faster than him and can move side to side,” said Pacquiao, who intends to unload “aggressive body shots,” Thurman being two inches taller at 5-foot-7 ½. “Speed is one of the key. When you have speed you can do anything.”

Insisting he can still make 140, where he fought only once (a two-round demolition of Ricky Hatton), Pacquiao said he’s willing to slide down if necessary.

Peeved at Thurman for “talking too much,” Pacquiao said he’s going to teach him a lesson for disrespecting religion.

Still passionate about boxing, Pacquiao said he treats it as a science and never stops learning.

When his ring career finally ends, Pacquiao said he wants to write a book about boxing.

For now, however, his focus is on Thurman. – Rappler.com

 

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