Philippines, 18 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Reshaped Thurman going for KO, nothing less


PhilBoxing.com





KEITH Thurman has admitted to a very poor form in his last bout, which he barely survived against underdog Josesito Lopez.

Thurman said he was really nervous about making weight for that bout.

He was hog heavy, walking around at 182 pounds, unsure of himself for nearly two years before the fight last January which he was lucky to win by majority decision.

He got hit, shaken and was in trouble in the seventh round.
?My ability saw me through. I am thankful, I feel strong and healthy and taken those feelings right into this training camp,? he assured from his Florida work base.

For the record, his team had been evasive about his exact condition when he decided to return after nearly two years of forced lay-off, caused by injuries.

For the first time, Thurman has made a neat and honest declaration of intent. There?s none of the trashy conceit, which he had overdone in slurring Manny Pacquiao.

Thurman obviously wanted to say this is a new warrior that?s taking on the legendary Pacquiao.

He has promised a world class performance on July 20 at the MGM Grand Las Vegas.

?I?d like to get the knockout or TKO,? he declared. ?You?re going to see a world class performance.

He said he?d like to be the old devastating champion once again.

**

Out in the Hollywood area, Pacquiao handlers declared they are done with preparations, claiming there?s nothing more left for Pacquiao to do.

Pacquiao on Sunday rode to the Universal Studios with his family for a day of bonding, relaxation and fun.

Team Pacquiao should be in fight site Las Vegas this weekend.
?I believe I have the better speed and footwork,? Pacquiao told BoxingScene.com. ?Thurman is going to be surprised by what he sees in me. I know he senses what?s coming his way.?
Pacquiao has lessened his comments on the fight.

Freddie Roach has however assured Pacquiao will win because of his work ethic.

?Manny has not slowed down at all,? Roach said. ?He?s the same Manny Pacquiao 22 years ago.?

Roach said Thurman has visibly faded and slowed down.
?I don?t really think he?s the fighter he once was,? Roach said.

**

There are two distinct possibilities in the Pacquiao-Thurman welterweight unification championship.

1) The smaller but faster and sharper fighter spurts over and overwhelms his opponent for a flashy win;

2) The bigger and younger fighter stays firm and strong through the blazing offensive to box brilliantly and score a methodical victory.

The bout is fast shaping into a toss-up, a pick ?em encounter deemed to be a hit with the vast pay-per-view audience.

For the record Thurman, unlike Pacquiao, has never been stopped.

Mchael Rosenthal, an influential boxing authority and critic, has maintained Thurman, younger, bigger and more technically sound, will be providing a dangerous challenge to Pacquiao.
Rosenthal said he hopes Pacquiao doesn?t get seriously hurt during the championship.

?I hope the referee or Roach will stop the fight a second too soon and not a second too late if things become hopeless for Pacquiao.?

Pacquiao himself said there?s a big possibility the big fight will not go 12 rounds.


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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Five stitches for Donaire’s cut
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 17 Mar 2026
  • Roberto Gomez Training Camp Notes
    , Tue, 17 Mar 2026
  • Esneth Domingo Trains at the Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles Ahead of His US Debut
    , Tue, 17 Mar 2026
  • Tatay Digong Birthday Run on March 28
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 17 Mar 2026
  • 12-0 prospect Marco Romero to headline This Friday in Independence, Missouri
    , Tue, 17 Mar 2026
  • 700 athletes on March 21-22 at UM
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 17 Mar 2026
  • United States Earns Four Gold Medals on Final Day of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Mon, 16 Mar 2026
  • Mexico wins 2 bronze medals at World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 16 Mar 2026
  • Arnold Barboza Jr. Shines in Welterweight Debut, Defeats Kenneth Sims Jr. to Claim Wbo Global Welterweight Title
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • WBC top contender Canoy returns to Davao with Unanimous Decision Victory
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • John Randall Peralta: The Future of the Philippine Chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • Alvin “Felemon” Dologuin Claims Win in Brico Santig’s Show in Thailand (PHOTOS)
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • Donaire's Yokohama Showdown: Can our Filipino Flash Outshine the Rising Sun? (WEIGH-IN PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Wins Five of Eight Bouts on Day Six
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander surpasses Chamberlain's record of 127 consecutive NBA games with 20 points or more
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • World-Ranked Light Heavyweight Najee Lopez Stops Mexican Terminator Manuel Gallego in Eight Classic Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Weigh-in from Highland Boxing in Bangkok, Thailand; Dologuin in Action (WEIGH-IN PHOTOS)
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Oval rules 35th CityHeights slugfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Sims vs. Barboza and Dickens vs. Cacace Headline Doubleheader on DAZN
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Rubilen Amit sustains amazing run of victories at WPBA Pool in New York
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Weights Set in Anaheim: Barboza Jr. and Sims Jr. Ready for Welterweight War; Collazo Defends Titles
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Rising Young Star Yoenis Tellez Takes on Top Contender Brian Mendoza in New Co-Main Event of PBC Pay-per-View Event Available on Prime Video Saturday, March 28
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Five USA Boxers Qualify for Medal Rounds on Day Six of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Rubilen Amit off to hot start in her WPBA debut
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Pavel Sosulin stops Victor Nagbe to remain unbeaten at IBA Pro 15 in Saint Petersburg
    , Fri, 13 Mar 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.