PACQUIAO WATCH: There is no stopping Manny
By Edwin G. Espejo
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 21 Jul 2019
There is no slowing down Boxing Hall of Fame shoo-in Manny Pacquiao who dug deep into his reservoir of speed and stamina to outhustle and outwit a guy who is 10 years his junior.
On Sunday (Philippine time), Pacquiao was quick from the starting block as he caught a backpedaling Keith Thurman with a right straight to the face that followed a left hook to the body.
More surprised than hurt, Thurman quickly stood up but damaged was already done.
In front of him was a vintage man of a different kind. For the first five rounds, Thurman got to taste what it is to be the mice that the cat would love to bounce around.
The brash American saw a cacophony of punches that he never has seen before. Many of them landed flush to the face and the body.
Thurman would occasionally make a stab of his claws but Paquiao was the guile predator who loves to toy with his prey before moving for the kill.
Fortunately for Thurman, Pacquiao has lost the appetite to finish a fight with flourish by delivering the coup de grace.
Instead Pacquiao allowed Thurman to put up a semblance of a fight and even received several heavy shots that would have felled lesser men. But as he proved today, Pacquiao certainly can still take it as hard as he can deliver.
And just when some thought he lost steam in the middle of the fight, Pacquiao dug in a powerful body shot that had Thurman riding his bicycle in the 10th round.
That left straight to the body pretty well ended the night and all hopes of Thurman scoring an upset. Thurman never dared to open up again even if he won the last round.
But win he almost did by the stroke of one judge who thought it would be his ticket to fame.
Will somebody please ask the Philippine senator if he has found his elixir?
For boxing guys in their ?40s, they are thought to be retired and if they are not, their roles would have been the trial horses and fill-in journeymen.
Pacquiao however is no ordinary boxing guy.
Ask any boxing guru. Chances are he would tell they have not seen a boxer as exciting even at the advance age as Pacquiao is still now.
True, there have been boxing champs who were still active well into their 40s. But how many fought the way Pacquiao did Sunday?
In my scorecard, Pacquiao won 115-112. Not overwhelming but definitely decisive. Not my favorite Pacquiao victory but one I admired this late of his career.
More Pacquiao fight?
I thought he should have stopped years ago. But the heck, it is not me delivering and receiving those punches. So why do I care?
Congratulations Senator Manny!
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Edwin G. Espejo.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
IBA presents stacked fight card for May 21 event in Mexico City
Fri, 08 May 2026Laurente to promote amateur boxing
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 08 May 2026Heavyweight Gustavo Trujillo Has a New Date Returns May 30 at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale
Fri, 08 May 2026Toro Promotions & Whitfield Haydon Officially Announce ‘Sizzling Summer Boxing Series’
Fri, 08 May 2026Jean Henri Lhuillier Drives ASAPHIL’s Winning System Through Long-Term Vision and Coaching Continuity
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 08 May 2026Dy ready to face Malignaggi in BKB on May 16
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 07 May 2026‘A younger lion always comes for that old lions spot. Your time is up, GET OUT OF MY WAY! – Manny Ritti challenges former ONE FC World Champion Nobutsu Suzuki May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54
Thu, 07 May 2026Kenia Enriquez Signs Multi-Year Contract with Latin KO Promotions
Thu, 07 May 2026FM Habla, Madriaga win Armageddon for IIEE-PSME Quezon City in PCAP
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 07 May 2026Undefeated heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor Graduates to 10-rounder this Saturday in Atlanta
Thu, 07 May 2026Jonas Magpantay bags P300,000 with Congressman Jeffrey Ferrer 10-Ball title win
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 06 May 2026Abdullah Mason Returns Home for Lightweight World Title Defense against Joe Cordina July 4 at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center
Wed, 06 May 2026Christopher Guerrero to face Delante Johnson on July 4 at the CSU Wolstein Center in Cleveland!
Wed, 06 May 2026Yanong and Horiike make weight in Japan for OPBF 140 lb. title
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 05 May 2026Kulog at Kidlat: Boxing, Art, Thunder and Lightning at the 3rd Pacquiao–Elorde Awards
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 05 May 2026