PACQUIAO EXPECTS A FORMIDABLE FOE IN THURMAN
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 15 May 2019
World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight "regular" champion Manny Pacquiao is slated to face undefeated WBA "super" champion Keith Thurman on July 20 in Las Vegas to be viewed on Fox Sports Pay-Per-View.
Thurman (29-0, 22 KOs) unified the welterweight division, being the WBA champion since 2015 and was declared Super champion in 2017. He previously held the WBC title from 2017 to 2018.
He is nicknamed "One Time" for his terrifying knockout prowess and possesses one of the strongest punches in the division.
Thurman survived some scary moments against heavy underdog Josesito Lopez to retain his WBA "super" welterweight title on January 26, 2019 at Barclays Center, New York.
The American champion recovering from multiple injuries and 22 months of inactivity, survived the seventh round when he was rocked by a Lopez left hook followed by a straight right.
Earlier in the second, a well-executed counter left hook sent Lopez crashing to the canvas.
Judges Tom Schreck (117-109) and Steve Weisfeld (115-111) both favored Thurman, while judge Don Ackerman saw it a 113-113 draw.
Thurman, who was stripped of his WBC title during his long layoff, retained the WBA version of his crown and will seek for his sixth title defense against Pacquiao.
International matchmaker Sean Gibbons said that Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 KOs) is expecting a formidable foe in Thurman.
?At his point of his career, I think the senator is absolutely taking one of the biggest challenges in his career for the last few years. He is fighting an undefeated super champion in Keith Thurman who defeated three former world champions ? Robert Guerrero, Danny Garcia and Shawn Porter,' Gibbons told The Manila Times.
?I applaud the senator for taking on challenges like this, but these are the fights in America, in the Philippines, and the world that give people the excitement," added Pacquiao?s confidante.
He said that after signing with Al Haymon and the PBC, the senator has a clear play with a mission to fight the best in the division and that?s where they are now.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
BOXING LEGEND: JIMMY CARRUTHERS
By Ray Dunbar, Fri, 19 Jun 2026WEIGHTS FROM LONG BEACH H2O SYLVE vs. JOJO DIAZ
Fri, 19 Jun 2026Collazo vs. Valdez Final Press Conference Quotes
Fri, 19 Jun 2026Alex Eala beats World No.2 Elena Rybakina
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 19 Jun 2026Undefeated Cuban Middleweight Pedro Veitia Scores Electrifying Stoppage of Previously Unbeaten Taiwo Afolabi
Fri, 19 Jun 2026Riyadh Season boxing events will stream free starting in November
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 19 Jun 2026Heavyweight Contender Gustavo "The Cuban Assassin" Trujillo Returns June 28 in Main Event of "Fist of Fury 11"
Fri, 19 Jun 2026DC Eagles routs Perfect, 5-1 in R5
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 19 Jun 2026PCCI Las Piñas Leaders to Visit Lipa for the June 20 JCI Rapid Chess Tournament
Fri, 19 Jun 2026Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez eyes five squads in JCI Senate Lipa 3X3 Open Rapid Chess Tournament on June 20
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 19 Jun 2026PACHECO CLASHES WITH ALEEM ON STACKED LA CARD
Thu, 18 Jun 2026Rising Mexican Contender Neider Valdez Steps in to Face Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo in WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Championship Fight
Thu, 18 Jun 2026Sumabong to defend WBO title against undefeated Taiwanese on July 11 in Bohol
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 17 Jun 2026Jordan Orozco Remains Perfect with Dominant Third-Round TKO of Fernando Diaz on MVP/Boxlab Card in Orlando
Wed, 17 Jun 2026Floyd Mayweather Jr could face charges of fraud in Las Vegas
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 17 Jun 2026