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:
Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani Look Awesome During Today's Presscon; Ready for Saturday's Historic Tokyo Dome Showdown!
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 30 Apr 2026Santig is IBF Promoter for Asia 2025
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 30 Apr 2026Jerusalem Arrives Early in Johannesburg Ahead of May 16 Title Defense
Thu, 30 Apr 2026Confirmed Mayhem: Casimero vs Nery June 6 in Japan! (Long Analysis)
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 30 Apr 2026Vicelles is OPBF light fly champ
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 30 Apr 2026WBC Commemorative belt ¨Tollan Tlatequi¨ at stake on Benavidez-Ramirez super fight
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 30 Apr 2026Toro’s Talented Trio of Prospects Fighting in Mexico on May 15th
Thu, 30 Apr 2026CONAH WALKER READY FOR AN ALL-OUT WAR AGAINST MIDLANDS RIVAL SAM EGGINGTON IN HIS HOMETOWN WOLVERHAMPTON – LIVE ON DAZN
Thu, 30 Apr 2026IBA.PRO Champions Night in Saint Petersburg postponed due to unforeseen circumstances
Thu, 30 Apr 202620th Philippine Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Open on May 1
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 30 Apr 2026MELBOURNE FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS
Thu, 30 Apr 2026Vicelles Decisions Diaz, Claims OPBF 108-lb Belt in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 29 Apr 2026Stars feted at Pacquiao/Elorde Awards Night
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 29 Apr 2026Magramo banners Blow-By-Blow show
Wed, 29 Apr 2026IBA Bare Knuckle сard сonfirmed for St. Petersburg: IBA.PRO Champions Night
Wed, 29 Apr 2026