PACQUIAO-THURMAN: THE AFTERMATH
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 23 Jul 2019
Newly crowned WBA Super welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao thanked all his supporters during the post fight interview. "I really loved the fans. Thank you so much for coming here and witnessing the fight," Pacquiao said.
He believes the fans are satisfied with the bruising fight and appreciates his tough opponent. "I'm sure you were happy tonight because you see a good fight. Even though Thurman lost, he did his best. He's not an easy opponent. He's a good boxer, strong. I think I'm just blessed tonight."
With his face contused and swollen due to the battle he waged for 12 action-packed rounds, Pacquiao considered it a great fight. ?That?s a real fight. Candidate for Fight of the Year.?
He said both of them delivered the best fighting talents to entertain the audience at the MGM Grand Arena and the millions watching all over the world on television. ?It was fun. He did his best, I did my best. I think we made the fans happy tonight because it was a good fight,?
Keith Thurman said his 22 month layoff took its toll on his power and dexterity. "We've seen champions' inactivity not favor them from time to time." His rust was shown during his encounter with Josesito Lopez. "I knew I had the skills to be victorious in the ring," said Thurman. "But yeah, obviously, 22 months out of the ring? Josesito Lopez, and then Manny Pacquiao."
He could have fought another opponent for tune up but the opportunity to fight a legend is just too costly to be passed up. "I tried to stay active, but you know, maybe another fight in between would have helped."
The dethroned champ added some of his strategies worked on the eight-division world champion and former pound-for-pound king. "But I just thought that I would be able to do some countering, utilize my jab from the outside, and really pressure him in the way that I did. Some of the things that I wanted to do, I was able to do."
Thurman added that it was really a close fight and this time had nice words for the fighter turned senator. "I knew it was just too close. He got the knockdown so he had momentum in Round 1. I want to thank the fans. I want to thank everybody for coming out. This was a beautiful night of boxing. Manny Pacquiao is a great, truly great champion."
He admitted Pacquiao's experience and great training camp prevailed, then offered a rematch. "I wish I had a little bit more output to go toe to toe. I felt like he was getting a little bit tired, but he did have experience in the ring. My conditioning, my output was just behind Manny Pacquiao. It was a great night of boxing. I'd love a rematch."
"I do know that I'm a true champion," he added. "Keith 'One Time' Thurman has always been a true champion. I will be back." The former WBA champion vowed to rise from the fall. "You get knocked down, you gotta pick yourself back up. That's what champions do. Like I said, we'll be back."
On his Twitter, Thurman posted: "I?ve always said I?m not afraid to let my 0 go, if you can beat me ? beat me. @MannyPacquiao beat me tonight. Hats off to the Senator on a great performance. #OneTime #PacThurman."
?Don?t be discouraged,? Pacquiao advised Thurman. ?You?re still young. Your journey doesn?t end here.?
Trainer Freddie Roach is so concerned with Pacquiao's health after the fight. This came when the Filipino icon complained of blurred vision after the explosive clash atop the ring. "Manny, he fought a great fight last night. He took a little too many hits, and maybe a little bit too much punishment."
"Maybe it's over," Roach said. "It would be very difficult. But I'm always honest with Manny." He told media the same sentiment he echoed after the controversial loss to Jeff Horn. "Because the last thing I want to happen is for him to get hurt."
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Rematch for the ages
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 18 Nov 2025"Limping" Boston Showing Famed Celtics Pride
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 18 Nov 2025IIEE-Trocio Engineers defeated Splashers Lawyers in the BPBL Opening
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 18 Nov 2025ThunderDome 52 Card Preview
Tue, 18 Nov 2025Los Angeles Lakers may be under NBA gambling Investigation
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 18 Nov 2025PLAYER+ and BIBA Announce Official Partnership
Tue, 18 Nov 2025Roberto Racasa Claims 7 Medals at Asia Open International Memory Championships in Hyderabad, India
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 18 Nov 2025Bacnotan Pickleball Club Marks First Anniversary With Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 18 Nov 2025Connor Benn Targets Barrios' WBC Welter Belt After Defeating Chris Eubank Jnr
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Mon, 17 Nov 2025NBA Daily: Sans Wembanyama, Spurs Dominate Kings 123 – 110
By Reylan Loberternos, Mon, 17 Nov 2025GM Joey Antonio finishes second in Spain chess tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 17 Nov 2025A Tall Order: Rafael Espinoza KOs Arnold Khegai to Retain Featherweight Crown
Sun, 16 Nov 2025Conor Benn dominates Chris Eubank Jr to claim emphatic rematch victory
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 16 Nov 2025Filipino GM Antonio beats Argentinian CM Daniri , maintains second place in Spain chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 16 Nov 2025NBA ALL STAR 2026: USA VS. WORLD
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sun, 16 Nov 2025