Will a repaired super foe be OK with Pacquiao?
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 28 Apr 2019
HIS credentials boldly paint WBA welterweight champion Keith Thurman as a genuine world title owner.
The unbeaten Thurman, 30, is listed as the WBA super welterweight titlist, with a 29-0 record, including 22 knockouts.
Thurman, who had his last fight in January following a two-year lay-off due to injuries (hand and elbow) was anything but super against the obscure Josesito Lopez, a 16-1 underdog who got off from a second-round knockdown to give Thurman hell; close to stopping the lethargic WBA super belt owner. Thurman was lucky to have survived and go home with a majority decision.
Latest reports say a Thurman fight against eight-division world champ Manny Pacquiao is just waiting for the final details and signatures of the main protagonists.
Pacquiao is the regular WBA welterweight champion who also had his last bout in January.
The Pacquiao-Thurman WBA unification fight is being calendared for July.
**
It will be a pay-per-view event. Both Pacquiao and Thurman are now with the Premier Boxing Champions of the influential Al Haymon.
Thurman was not figuring prominently in the derby to fight Pacquiao; but he suddenly sprinted up front and moved past Danny Garcia who had a sensational previous stoppage win.
Thurman also happened to own a big tactical win over Danny Garcia much earlier.
Thurman however had a hard time figuring big in the race to fight Paquiao, mainly because of his underwhelming performance against Lopez last January. In that bout, Thurman was hapless and unenthusiastic. He was hopelessly rusty, a shaky statue of his old combative self.
After that bout, Bob Arum readily remarked that Thurman was totally through with serious prizefighting.
**
Of course, Thurman continued to undergo repairs and remedies in his damaged system. (There was one report saying the most serious injuries were caused by a car crash).
As expected, experts were one in saying mere patch-ups would be of no help if and when he ends up face-to-face with the perpetually fiery Manny Pacquiao.
If anything, Thurman, once fabulously known as One Time, will definitely be no Adrien Broner, who made a fool of himself in his last pay-per-view clash with Pacquiao.
Thurman, a cerebral warrior, should be able to pull some surprises.
He?s young and there?s a whole world of prizefight possibilities awaiting him.
Forget about the dreadful last fight, the dirty details have been aptly swept under the rug.
Pacquiao should not be demeaned with a useless foe; or a shaky and rusty statue for an opponent.
The boxing world--Pacquiao himself--wants to see a genuine new super WBA champ in Keith Thurman.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday
By Chris Carlson, Sun, 15 Feb 2026“The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 15 Feb 2026Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 14 Feb 2026WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 14 Feb 2026BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN"
Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 13 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
Fri, 13 Feb 2026IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
Fri, 13 Feb 20263 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Fri, 13 Feb 2026Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 11 Feb 2026