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:
Benavidez vs. Ramirez: Experts Weigh In Ahead of Blockbuster May 2 Light Heavyweight Clash
Sat, 02 May 2026Tsendy Erdenebat Wins Clear-Cut Unanimous Decision over Cobia Breedy in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
Sat, 02 May 2026Coach Ederwin Estavillo is ready
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 02 May 2026WOLVERHAMPTON FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED FOR WALKER-EGGINGTON
Sat, 02 May 2026Cebuano Elmo Traya Eyes WBF World Title in Georgia
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 02 May 2026Jeter Promotions Yvgeniy Pavlov on a Championship Track
Sat, 02 May 20262nd SIGLO 100km Ultramarathon set May 30-31
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 02 May 2026Let's Go to San Manuel, Tarlac
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 02 May 2026Inoue vs Nakatani Make Weight, Set for Historic Showdown
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 01 May 2026Inoue vs Nakatani & Benavidez vs Ramirez Makes For Blockbuster Saturday
By Chris Carlson, Fri, 01 May 2026Magramo is new PBO super fly champ
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 01 May 2026Blow-By-Blow makes rousing return
Fri, 01 May 2026Kyle Amoroto rules China Pool meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 01 May 2026Zurdo Ramirez vs Benavidez (Fight Analysis)
By Ralph Rimpell, Fri, 01 May 2026WOLVERHAMPTON FIGHT WEEK FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS WALKER AND EGGINGTON GET SET FOR SHOWDOWN
Fri, 01 May 2026