| |
|
PACQUIAO EXPECTS A FORMIDABLE FOE IN THURMAN
By Maloney L. Samaco PhilBoxing.com Wed, 15 May 2019

World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight "regular" champion Manny Pacquiao is slated to face undefeated WBA "super" champion Keith Thurman on July 20 in Las Vegas to be viewed on Fox Sports Pay-Per-View.
Thurman (29-0, 22 KOs) unified the welterweight division, being the WBA champion since 2015 and was declared Super champion in 2017. He previously held the WBC title from 2017 to 2018.
He is nicknamed "One Time" for his terrifying knockout prowess and possesses one of the strongest punches in the division.
Thurman survived some scary moments against heavy underdog Josesito Lopez to retain his WBA "super" welterweight title on January 26, 2019 at Barclays Center, New York.
The American champion recovering from multiple injuries and 22 months of inactivity, survived the seventh round when he was rocked by a Lopez left hook followed by a straight right.
Earlier in the second, a well-executed counter left hook sent Lopez crashing to the canvas.
Judges Tom Schreck (117-109) and Steve Weisfeld (115-111) both favored Thurman, while judge Don Ackerman saw it a 113-113 draw.
Thurman, who was stripped of his WBC title during his long layoff, retained the WBA version of his crown and will seek for his sixth title defense against Pacquiao.
International matchmaker Sean Gibbons said that Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 KOs) is expecting a formidable foe in Thurman.
?At his point of his career, I think the senator is absolutely taking one of the biggest challenges in his career for the last few years. He is fighting an undefeated super champion in Keith Thurman who defeated three former world champions ? Robert Guerrero, Danny Garcia and Shawn Porter,' Gibbons told The Manila Times.
?I applaud the senator for taking on challenges like this, but these are the fights in America, in the Philippines, and the world that give people the excitement," added Pacquiao?s confidante.
He said that after signing with Al Haymon and the PBC, the senator has a clear play with a mission to fight the best in the division and that?s where they are now.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
ARNOLD BARBOZA JR. AND KENNETH SIMS JR. SET FOR HIGH-STAKES CLASH IN CAN’T-MISS MAIN EVENT ON DAZN , Wed, 18 Feb 2026CALLUM SMITH VS DAVID MORRELL MEGA FIGHT SET FOR APRIL 18 IN LIVERPOOL AS PAT BROWN HEADLINES IN HIS HOMETOWN ON APRIL 3 , Wed, 18 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Youth High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced , Wed, 18 Feb 2026Rapid chessfest gets underway February 22 By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 16 FEBRUARY 2026: Ajagba, Dzambekov, Ruiz Register Stoppage Wins in Zuffa Event By Eric Armit, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026Mexican government and WBC join forces to create mega-project “Boxing for Peace” By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026All eyes on GM Johan-Sebastian Christiansen in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026 By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026WBC Champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios Locked in for Ryan Garcia Showdown February 21 at T-Mobile Arena , Tue, 17 Feb 2026Dana White mocks traditional boxing promoters: "No contest, it's like hitting babies" By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026LEIGH WOOD OUTLINES PLAN OF ATTACK FOR SOLD OUT REMATCH AGAINST JOSH WARRINGTON , Tue, 17 Feb 2026Cain Velasquez released from a California State prison By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026Patrick Rivera wins Pacman's Cue Club 10-Ball Tournament; pockets P100,000 By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026Undefeated Brooklyn heavyweight Pryce Taylor Fighting again in Detroit this Sunday on Claressa Shields’ card , Tue, 17 Feb 2026TRAINING CAMP NOTES Gabriela Tellez Ready to Make a Statement This Friday in Orlando , Tue, 17 Feb 2026Rapista wins WBC Far East Silver super flyweight title By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade-Arca faces tough competition in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026 By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026“The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN" , Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 13 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts , Fri, 13 Feb 2026IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS , Fri, 13 Feb 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|