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.
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