Pacquiao faced with a serious challenge
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 30 Jan 2019
FREDDIE Roach said that, if they don?t get Floyd Mayweather, Keith Thurman is his second choice for Manny Pacquiao?s next opponent.
Thurman, 30, the WBA super welterweight champion, readily called out Pacquiao after scoring a majority decision conquest of Josesito Lopez in Brooklyn, New York on Sunday.
Pacquiao is listed as the WBA regular welterweight champion.
The undefeated Thurman, 29-0, fought again after a 22 month lay-off caused by hand and elbow injuries.
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Thurman did not look anything special in out-pointing Lopez. He scored a knockdown in the second round, but was shaken and survived a furious attack from Lopez in the seventh round.
Thurman appeared ordinary and predictable. But Roach said he loved him for Pacquiao?s style.
?I think he?s good for Manny?s style, not easy though,? Roach explained. ?We want the best opponents out there, since he won, he?s one of the better guys out there.?
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Thurman, lacking the enthusiasm, could be considered a serious challenge (to Pacquiao), all for the simple fact that the noisy and boisterous Adrien Broner ended up a howling joke in losing to Pacquiao in Las Vegas on Jan. 19.
Broner, who came in with a hollow middle, did not have the heart and toughness, but had the fast feet to escape Pacquiao?s power, determination and sharpness.
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There?s no assurance a Pacquiao-Thurman fight would be compelling and competitive, but fight promoters could lean on the fact that the WBA is in the process of cleansing its ranks of ?excess? weight division champions.
The winner would be automatically declared the lone rightful WBA crown-holder.
Thurman said he would be ready and willing to fight Pacquiao anywhere.
Pacquiao, in Hong Kong when last heard of, has not responded to Thhurman?s challenge.
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(FAREWELL TO A VETERAN NEWSMAN: The helpful and well-loved veteran news correspondent Juanito ?Jun? Velasco of Dagupan City will be interred on Feb. 2 at the Mt. Zion Memorial Park in Bonoan Boquig, Dagupan City. His remains lie in state at the Garden of Eden Funeral Chapel along De Venecia Highway, Calasiao Pangasinan. Velasco, 72, passed away in the Grace of Our Lord, on Jan. 25. Prayers please for his eternal rest)
Photo: Manny Pacquiao poses with Chinese tycoon Jack Ma in Hong Kong on Sunday.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
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