Philippines, 19 Apr 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Pacquiao or Thurman? Toss-up shaping up


PhilBoxing.com





NO way Heinz ketchup can compare with crucifixion. But the famous boxing trainer Freddie Roach hit it hot in referring to the slurpy food condiment to belittle WBA super welterweight champion Keith Thurman.

Thurman did say he would crucify Pacquiao, dismantle and retire him in their July 20 fight.

That surely raised Pacquiao?s hackles and pushed the fighting Filipino senator to hit the limit in training.

The crucifixion taunt also did its part in pegging Pacquiao an early underdog in the awaited WBA welterweight unification clash in Las Vegas.

Truth is Pacquiao has skipped the trash talk lane ahead, thereby leaving Thurman to do the selling (of the championship).

**

Pacquiao has also taken over as new fight favorite, based on latest sports book listings.

The Pacquiao take-over coincided with Roach?s latest colorful verbal jab on Thurman.

Using a white menu board, Roach declared ?Thurman is slower than Heinz ketchup. Manny will beat him 57 ways on July 20th.?
There?s no turning back, the fiery give-and-take is sure to heighten interest in the Pacquiao-Thurman rivalry.

It won?t come as a surprise if the odds come up even on the way to the fight proper, now being advertised as the biggest boxing event of the period.

**

For the first time, Thurman has openly admitted he was not as strong and good as he had wished in his last fight in January.
Roach has used that shaky struggle by Thurman against Josesito Lopez to belittle and zero in on Thurman?s inferiority.

Thurman conceded he was not himself against Lopez last time out: but at the same time vowed to play the perfect champion?s role on July 20.

?Pacquiao?s style was never a good style against my style,? said Thurman. ?I plan to go toe-to-toe in testing him.?
Thurman, bigger and younger, stressed he will be looking for a knockout.

**

Meanwhile, an overweight Thurman had been observed to be struggling in the early phase of training.

He?s reportedly being handled by a famous American football strength and conditioning coach.

Pacquiao on the other hand, has been described to be in superb form.

Roach said superior leg power will be a key, thereby promising a sustained blazing offensive from Pacquiao.

Manny will dazzle and Thurman will fizzle, Roach cried.
The only hotdog Manny talks about in this fight is Keith Thurman, Roach added.

With all the fireworks, Thurman said he can?t see how the fight won?t live up the hype.

?Let?s see if Pacquiao can survive!?


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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Suslenkov knocks out Mann to headline explosive IBA Pro 16 night in Serpukhov
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • AJ Manas off to a hot start in Indonesia
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • Camila Zamorano WBC female champion health update
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • PH Athletics team shines in the 2026 Singapore Open Track and Field Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • JESSE RODRIGUEZ CHALLENGES ANTONIO VARGAS FOR WBC BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD TITLE IN GLENDALE ON JUNE 13
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND PHOTOS FROM SD FIGHT NIGHT: FAMILY BUSINESS - TOMORROW, APRIL 18 AT FRONTWAVE ARENA IN OCEANSIDE, CALIF.
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • OFFICIAL ‘REVOLUTION’ WEIGHTS FROM CORK, IRELAND
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • MIKHAIL GRIGORYAN DEFEATS JEO SANTISIMA, CROWNED NEW IBF ASIA LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION IN SERPUKHOV
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • Ra’eese Aleem Vows Victory Over Angelo Leo Ahead of May 9th IBF Title Fight in Atlanta
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • WCM Nika Juris Nicolas 10th in Serbia
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • JESSE ‘BAM’ RODRIGUEZ PENS LONG TERM EXTENSION WITH EDDIE HEARN AND MATCHROOM
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • Hermie Rivera: A Fil-Am Original
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • LIVERPOOL FIGHT NIGHT: OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AS BEN WHITTAKER TAKES ON BRAIAN SUAREZ – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Lerasan to fight for WBO Asian Pacific bantam title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Fuentes is now ready to fight in Juego Todo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • LIVERPOOL FIGHT WEEK: PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL AS WHITTAKER GETS READY FOR TOUGH SUAREZ TEST – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Ancajas to fight as feather against Garcia on April 18
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • MVP presents Delgado-Artiga by WBA superflyweight championship on June 13 in Orlando
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Mexican legend Miguel Canto passes away
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • King Lovick Monteadora to see action in 2026 Hainan Taekwondo Open
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Quiñonero suffers injury, cancels debut in Juego Todo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: A Great Night of Boxing in Japan
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • FOSTER DEFENDS WORLD SUPER-FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE AGAINST FORD IN HOUSTON ON MAY 30
    , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Tickets ON SALE NOW for Keyshawn Davis-Nahir Albright II at Norfolk’s Scope Arena
    , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Nothing But Sportz and Ronald Johnson’s Dream Team Foundation to Donate 500 Tickets to Miami Youth for Historic May 2 Fight Night
    , Fri, 17 Apr 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.