Pacquiao Banks on Explosive Start to Beat Thurman Via Split Decision!
By Reylan Loberternos
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 21 Jul 2019
Philippine National Bank, Boracay Island, Philippines ? The living legend and fighting pride of the Philippines, Manny ?Pacman? Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39KOs) eked out a split decision victory over erstwhile undefeated champion Keith ?One Time? Thurman (29-1-0, 22KOs), Saturday night (Sunday morning Manila Time) at the jam-packed MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada for the latter?s WBA Welterweight Champion belt.
Dave Moretti and Tim Cheatham had an identical 115-112 on their respective scorecards for the fighting senator, while judge Glenn Feldman had it 114-113 for Thurman. Yours truly scored the bout a close 114-113 for Pacquiao.
Pacquiao dominated the first half of the bout, jumpstarted by a quick combination of left-straight-to-the-body followed by a left-cross-to the-chin that put Thurman flat on his back for the fight?s only scored knockdown. His defense was also topnotch during this stretch, as he caught most of Thurman?s punches with his gloves, while putting his opponent on awkward angles.
All judges scored the first 5 rounds for Pacquiao, except the 3rd round when judges Dave Moretti and Glenn Feldman gave it to Thurman.
Thurman found his second wind and came back strong in the middle rounds, catching the visibly gassed out and flatfooted Pacquiao on several occasions with right straights and hooks to the side of the head.
The former undefeated champion earned the unanimous nod of all judges in rounds 6, 7, 9 and 11 when he controlled the pace of those rounds with clean combinations and crisp jabs, keeping Pacquiao at bay.
Pacquiao caught a huge break in the 10th round when he connected with a left hook to the body that halted Thurman?s aggression and then seemed right for the picking. The Pinoy pride, however, was not able to capitalize on that, as he was also visibly losing steam. That was enough for him, though, as he got the unanimous vote of all the judges who all awarded him that round.
Punch stats had Pacquiao connect on only 195 punches to Thurman?s 210. However, the more telling and effective blows were administered by the eventual champion.
The fighting pride of Saranggani Province in the Philippines has once again added to his lore, even at 40 years old. He is the only 8-division champion in the sport?s rich history. He has obviously lost some speed and quickness, but he has once again shown that he still has what it takes to become a champion.
But if the second half of that bout was to be used as basis, Pacquiao and his team need to look a little bit closer and deeper before planning their next course of action. Father Time has apparently caught up on him. The Pacquiao of old would have knocked Thurman out in the middle rounds. This version of Pacquiao, however, almost lost it on the scorecards. He failed to finish Thurman in the 10th round when the pride of Clearwater, Florida was visibly hurt.
But make no mistake about it? this was a huge win for Pacquiao, and should line him up for yet another huge payday. The only question now is? will this be the last victory of his legendary career? Only time can tell.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Reylan Loberternos.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
SD FIGHT NIGHT: FAMILY BUSINESS DOUBLE MAIN EVENTS SET AS JULIUS “JUJU” BALLO SQAURES OFF AGAINST ROMAN REYES AT FRONTWAVE ARENA ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2026
Mon, 23 Mar 2026"I'M A MAN OF MY WORD": GEORGE LIDDARD COMPLETES MATCHROOM BRENTWOOD HALF MARATHON FOR CHARITY – HOURS AFTER DENNY WIN
Mon, 23 Mar 2026Lester Martinez Wins WBC Interim World Super Middleweight Championship with Unanimous Decision over Immanuwel Aleem
Sun, 22 Mar 2026IBF Pan Pacific champion Vince Paras set to face unbeaten OPBF champion Aoi Yokoyama in Kyrgyzstan
Sun, 22 Mar 2026King James sets NBA all-time record for most games played
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 22 Mar 2026Loaded boxing schedule
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 22 Mar 2026WEIGHTS, IMAGES, RUNNING ORDER AND THE LAST WORDS AHEAD OF ADAMES VS. WILLIAMS IN ORLANDO
Sat, 21 Mar 2026COPPER BOX ARENA FIGHT NIGHT: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS LIDDARD AND DENNY FACE-OFF FOR FINAL TIME
Sat, 21 Mar 2026Weights From ‘Martinez vs. Aleem’ Event from the NOS Event Center in San Bernardino and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV
Sat, 21 Mar 2026Jordan Orozco Training Camp Notes
Sat, 21 Mar 2026Towns vs. Bordin for PAT Belt; De Barbo, Nancholas, Samiei in Supporting Bouts at Brico Santig's Exciting Show in Pattaya Beach, Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 20 Mar 2026YOENIS TELLEZ TRAINING CAMP QUOTES
Fri, 20 Mar 2026Lebron James ties the most game played in NBA history
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 20 Mar 2026Pichay supports GM Antonio's Australian chess circuit campaign
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 20 Mar 2026LIDDARD-DENNY PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AHEAD OF SATURDAY'S COPPER BOX FIGHT NIGHT
Fri, 20 Mar 2026