Philippines, 24 Jun 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Underdog Pacquiao keen on solid firefight


PhilBoxing.com




GOING by their immediate last fights, setting up the WBA world welterweight championship between Manny Pacquiao and Keith Thurman was never easy. But give it to the fabulous merchandizers at Al Haymon?s Premier Boxing Champions, there?s a burning match-up waiting at the boxing bend in July.

His status as eight-division world champion is unshakeable. But it is obvious Pacquiao has promptly been tagged the underdog in the July 20 fight based on the fighters? widely contrasting age and ring record.

Thurman, 30, is unbeaten; Pacquiao, 40, has lost a total of seven times, including a crushing lights-out knockout in 2012.
Pacquiao, listed as regular (secondary) WBA welterweight title-holder, also pales out as a crown pretender against Thurman, the reigning WBA super welterweight champion.

**

It will be a WBA unification championship.

There are experts who fear a dismal end to Pacquiao, but nothing honestly complete has been told about Thurman who, like it or not, is checking in for the championship as a repaired fighter who has not figured in very relevant bouts for over two years.

Pacquiao?s last two outings were sizzlers.

Thurman could barely survive against a 16-1 underdog last January.

**

Pacquiao himself would not deny that he had found Thurman rusty; although he readily assured the WBA super welter champion is the toughest opponent available out there (?).

?I thought his style would match up with mine, he had looked rusty but that won?t be an issue,? Pacquiao stated.

Pacquiao added he expects an action fight from Thurman.

?I?ve always looked for the best challenges in my career,? Pacquiao stressed.

**

Thurman?s last fight in January after coming from a 22-month lay-off due to injuries was trashy, but the undefeated champ nevertheless survived.

Didn?t Thurman look he needed further rehabilitation, or at least a solid tune-up match before taking on the fabulous and ageless Pacquiao?

Pacquiao predicts fierce, fiery combat.

The tougher the better, Pacquiao also promises killing combat because, he swears, that?s what fight fans expect and deserve.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Lenar Perez to Face Former Two-Time World Title Challenger Thabiso Mchunu, with Fendero-Fondjo as Co-Feature on September 3 in Montreal!
    , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Gustavo Trujillo'S Remarkable Journey Continues as Reigning Bkb Heavyweight Champion Climbs the Pro Boxing Ranks
    , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • AMER ABDALLAH APPOINTED ADVISOR TO THE KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN BOXING FEDERATION
    , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Youth Sports Sambo on June 25
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Train for Puma Half Marathon in starts June 24
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 22 JUNE 2026
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 23 Jun 2026
  • Team PH reigns in Senior League Softball Asia-Pacific and Middle East Regional Tournament in Indonesia
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 23 Jun 2026
  • ZAYAS AND BOOTS KICK-OFF FIGHT WEEK WITH STORMY FIRST FACE-OFF IN BROOKLYN
    , Tue, 23 Jun 2026
  • Santisima, Apolinar stop foes
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 23 Jun 2026
  • BOOTS: I FEEL GREAT AT 154
    , Tue, 23 Jun 2026
  • Bohat is PBF Silver bantamweight champion
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 23 Jun 2026
  • Mexican Boxing Olympic Team returns with bronze medal from Guiyang 2026
    , Tue, 23 Jun 2026
  • Lastimosa is PBF Youth light fly champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 22 Jun 2026
  • Undefeated Unified Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo Claims WBO International Flyweight Title, Stops Neider Valdez in Two Rounds
    , Sun, 21 Jun 2026
  • Pascuale Perez: Argentina's First World Champion
    By Ray Dunbar, , Sun, 21 Jun 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: Mexico’s Greatness Takes Center Stage
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Sun, 21 Jun 2026
  • Boxing world shocked by Turki Alalshikh's health condition
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 21 Jun 2026
  • Rising Star H2O Sylve Shines in Long Beach, Defeats JoJo Diaz in MF Pro's Historic U.S. Debut on DAZN
    , Sun, 21 Jun 2026
  • Weigh-in Results: Collazo and Valdez On Weight for Flyweight Showdown in Oceanside
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 20 Jun 2026
  • “I feel Murat’s style is a perfect match for me.” Tony Yoka prepares for Murat Gassiev
    , Sat, 20 Jun 2026
  • Alex Eala continue her magical run by beating World No. 8 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 20 Jun 2026
  • BOXING LEGEND: JIMMY CARRUTHERS
    By Ray Dunbar, , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • WEIGHTS FROM LONG BEACH H2O SYLVE vs. JOJO DIAZ
    , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • Collazo vs. Valdez Final Press Conference Quotes
    , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • Alex Eala beats World No.2 Elena Rybakina
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 19 Jun 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.