PACQUIAO PLEASES ROACH WHO THINKS THURMAN IS ON A SLOW DOWN
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 21 Jun 2019
Trainer Freddie Roach was very pleased with Manny Pacquiao's first day at Wild Card Gym. "Buboy [Fernandez] and Justin [Fortune] have him in great condition for the rigors of this part of training camp,? he was quoted by The Philippine Star.
The Hall of Fame trainer added they were scheduled for six rounds of sparring but Manny insisted on going for eight rounds using two sparring partners.
?This is a great match-up. Thurman has youth and size. I?m sure he will come into the ring with 160 pounds behind his big right hand. Manny will be under 150,? Roach commented.
Roach is confident Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 KOs) will defeat Thurman (29-0, 22 KOs) when they entangle on July 20 for Thurman?s WBA welterweight "super" title. Pacquiao is a slight +105 betting underdog but will reportedly earn a $20 million pay. Thurman is a -135 favorite but allegedly has been slowing down, compared to Pacquiao, who is ten years older, whom Roach thinks is still a fresh fighter.
?Thurman is definitely a good fighter, but you look at his last three fights,? Roach said per Forbes. ?He?s faded a little bit. He?s not doing quite as well. I?m not sure if he?s bored of the sport or if he?s not putting the hours in. You study tapes on him, and you can see the gradual slowdown. Manny is really fresh right now and is on top of his game. I don?t care how many years older Pacquiao is than Thurman. That doesn?t matter.?
Trainer Freddie Roach (2nd from right) watches as Manny Pacquiao punishes the heavy bag at the Wildcard Gym in Hollywood Wednesday. Photo by Wendell Alinea.
Thurman fought fellow undefeated WBC welterweight champion Danny Garc?a on March 4, 2017 and he won by split decision.
Thurman clashed with Josesito L?pez on January 26, 2019 after 22 months of inactivity to defend his welterweight title. Thurman was hurt in the 7th round but recovered to win the fight by majority decision.
* * *
The Los Angeles Lakers have catapulted to the top of the 2020 NBA championship betting odds at the sportsbooks after acquiring Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans to join LeBron James.
The Lakers became one of the NBA?s worst teams over the last six years with a gloomy record of 163-329. But after signing LeBron James and getting Anthony Davis, the Lakers immediately became the betting favorites to win the NBA title next year.
Los Angeles is a +250 favorite on the 2020 NBA championship odds at sportsbooks by OddsShark.com.
The Golden State Warriors is a +750 favorite to win as NBA champions because they will miss both Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson for most part of next season with injuries. The Houston Rockets with +850 are still solving the conflict between James Harden and Chris Paul.
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