PACQUIAO HUMBLES THURMAN; LOOKS FORWARD TO FIGHT SPENCE-PORTER WINNER
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 21 Jul 2019
By Eddie Alinea / The Manila Times
LAS VEGAS ? Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao proved the non-believers wrong. Again.
The 40-year-old eight-division champion dropped Keith Thurman on the seat of his pants for only the second time in his 12-year pro-career in the opening round then dealt the American WBA ?super? welterweight belt-owner his first defeat in 30 fights via split decision.
But most important of all, the ?Fighter of the Decade? 2000 showed the world that at his age, he could still win over a much younger opponent and strip him of his crown to unite at least the WBA version of the division.
The brash-talking Thurman is 10 years Pacquiao?s junior.
That was the Philippine Senator?s 62nd victory in 71 fights that also served notice to the other best in the 147-pound division he?s ready to face them all and regain the respect he once enjoyed.
And he intimated that intent to both Errol Spence Jr., owner of the IBF welterweight title since 2017, and former sparring partner Shawn Porter, the WBC titleholder, who both watched Pacquiao-Thurman title encounter.
Spence and Porter are scheduled to meet two months from now at the Staple Center in Los Angeles in what could be the first step to be taken by the Philippine Boxing Champions to ultimately unite the fragmented division.
Manny Pacquiao (L) drops Keith Thurman to the canvas in the first round during their WBA world welterweight title fight Saturday night in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Wendell Alinea.
?Yeah, I hope to meet the winner of that fight,? Pacquiao told television interviewer after the fight.
?One Time? Thurman tried to bounce back from that first round knockdown but just couldn?t contain the Filipino?s quickness and firepower the rest of the way.
Judges Dave Moretti and Tim Cheatham scored the fight in identical 115-112, both for the Philippine Senator, but judge Glenn Feldman saw it differently, submitting a close 114-113 card.
The split decision verdict was booed lustily by the 14,000 crowd.
Both judges Moretti and Cheatam gave Pacquiao seven rounds. The former saw the Filipino winning in the first, second, fourth, fifth eighth, 1oth and 12th.
Cheatam had then Pacman winning the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, 10th and 12th.
Judge Feldman had Thurman the victor in the third, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, 10th and 12th. .
All three judges gave Pacquiao the first round with similar 10-8 verdict.
For the first time since the combatants started training, the bad-mouthing Thurman acknowledged Pacquiao?s advantage in hand speed, footwork and punching power, blaming the first round knockdown as to have tilted in Pacquiao?s favor.
?I congratulate Manny Pacquiao for his victory. He really won tonight,? Thurman said during the post fight interview with media. ?He?s too fast and too strong.?
?I did my best to come back but everytime I did, he kept on coming back.
Pacquiao, likewise, congratulated Thurman for giving a good fight.
?Keith is a very good fighter. You can never underestimate him,? he said of his opponent. ?I believe he has a great future coming his way.?
Turning his head on his victim, Pacquiao said: ?Don?t be disappointed for your defeat.?
Pacquiao was supposed to fly to Manila via a private plane right after the fight to catch President Duterte?s State of the Nation Address on Monday.
He was advised by the doctors, though, not to. Rule of the fight game is to rest a boxer who fought for 12 rounds or damaged badly to rest for 24 hours.
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