Pacquiao vs. Thurman : The Battle of Two Kings
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 20 Jul 2019
LAS VEGAS - The World Boxing Association (WBA) is weird. Their 147 pound landscape is ruled by two champions.
First is the undefeated Keith Thurman Jr. of the United States - it?s Super Champion.
Then, there?s the legendary Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines- it?s World Champion.
In 2015, the organization?s welterweight throne was up for grabs when longtime champ Floyd Mayweather Jr. retired. The WBA then elevated Thurman, who at that time was their interim champ - to the status of full champion.
Thurman held and defended the belt successfully since 2015. But a series of injury kept him out of the ring for almost two years.
This prompted the WBA to make Thurman a champion in recess and mandated a welterweight contest between Lucas Matthysse and Tewa Kiram of Thailand in January 2018. The winner then became the ?regular? champ at welterweight.
Matthysse won by knockout but his reign was short lived. He was dethroned on his first defense by Pacquiao in the Battle of Kuala Lumpur last year. Pacquiao blasted him in the 7th round in his first and only defense of the title.
Thurman returned to action and out-hustled Josesito Lopez in the Battle of Brooklyn earlier this year. He welcomed a fight against Pacquiao after his victory in New York and he knew then, that the inevitable battle of champs has to be made.
And so here we are, in the battlefield in the desert, at The Fight Oasis that is the MGM Grand Garden Arena- as we count down the hours to the day of reckoning between the two kings.
They faced for the last time today at the official weigh-in ceremony in the very site of their duel tomorrow night. Pacquiao and Thurman Jr weighed in at an identical 146.5 pounds.
Both pugilists relished in the cheers of their fans and countrymen and welcomed the jeers of the opposing camp. Pacquiao, like his previous battles here, always brings a loud and raucous army with him. Today and tomorrow night will be no different, he was and always will be the crowd favorite.
They sized up each other for one last time, they looked at each other?s eyes with mean intentions and displayed their own version of their championship belts during Fight Week.
Tomorrow night, barring a draw in the final tally, only one belt will matter, only one champ will be raised and only one king will be crowned.
And after that, the 147 pound kingdom of the WBA will not be weird anymore. It will revert to normalcy and have its one true ruler.
Tic, tac, tic, tac. The Battle of Two Kings is amongst us.
You can reach the writer at rrmaze24@aol.com and @Freemazon910 on Twitter.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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