Philippines, 03 Oct 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Pacquiao wins 'The War of Two Kings' against Thurman


PhilBoxing.com




LAS VEGAS- Manny Pacquiao weathered a late surge from fellow champ Keith Thurman and scored a hard-earned Split Decision victory to win the World Boxing Association?s welterweight crown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Pacquiao, 40, the regular champ of the 147 pound division, snatched the younger Thurman?s (30) super welterweight title belt with scores of 115-112, 115-112 and 113-114, in an exciting championship fight that settled the question of who truly reigns the prestigious weight class.

The legendary fighter from the Philippines showed that age is just a number when he almost stopped Thurman Jr. early in the fight. Pacquiao sent Thurman Jr. down with a right hand in the opening round and the sold-out arena of 14,356 went wild.

A stunned Thurman smiled while he was on his butt, stood up, recouped and finished the round.

Pacquiao battered Thurman in the succeeding rounds. His jabs were on point and his right hand was very effective. He countered effectively against Thurman who was trying to even up the score.

In the 5th, Pacquiao bloodied Thurman?s nose with a another hard right. The undefeated champion retreated as blood oozed from his nose.

But Pacquiao?s age showed in the second half of the intense fight. He slowed down midway in the 6th and Thurman closed the round with a combo that found its mark.

Thurman stepped up his performance in the 7th, he perfectly timed his punches and hit Pacquiao plenty of times with head-twisting shots but the Filipino icon took his opponent?s shots well.

In the 8th, Thurman was again bleeding from his nose as a result of additional punches from Pacquiao but he did not back down and traded punches with his hard hitting counterpart. He finished the round with straight rights that landed squarely on Pacquiao.

In the 10th, Pacquiao took charge of the fight again. He hurt Thurman with a body shot and the previously unbeaten champion retreated once again - this time in obvious pain. Pacquiao pursued him but the American fighter was able to evade additional attacks to the torso by moving fluidly and by punching back.

Both fighters tried to finish the final two rounds on a strong note. Thurman went on the attack and Pacquiao countered and pivoted out of Thurman?s reach.

The fans yelled and cheered the two fighters in what has been q tense bout to determine the real WBA welterweight king.

It took Jimmy Lennon some time to declare the winner of what has been a close contest. The wait for the final decision added to the anxiety of an already tense night.

The crowd erupted in cheers when Lennon disclosed the scores and the winner - Manny Pacquiao. The 40 year old icon is now the new and the only WBA welterweight champion.

?I got him in the first round and that?s the key. That?s the turning point of (me) being the winner tonight,? said Pacquiao in the post-fight conference.

?He is very tough.? Pacquiao describes Thurman. He is heavy handed unlike the other opponents that I faced before. He can fight.?

The losing Thurman conceded his defeat to the fighting senator from the Philippines. He was meek and modest this time. It was a stark contrast to his brazenness before their duel.

?Like I always said, I got an 0 and I?m not afraid to let it go. I was beaten tonight and that?s the sport of boxing. I?m not going nowhere and I?ll be back.?

The humbled loser relinquished his crown, surrenders his belt and conceded the throne that he?s held for seven years to winner of The War of Two Kings - the legendary Manny Pacquiao.


You can reach the writer at rrmaze24@aol.com and @Freemazon910 on Twitter.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Allan Villanueva vs. Jyl Wright Headlines Peter Maniatis Event in Melbourne Oct. 3
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • BUSTAMANTE AND JONES NAMED CAPTAINS FOR REYES CUP 2025
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • Mike Tyson Joins BoltBetz as Strategic Investor and Promotional Partner to Usher in a New Era of Cashless Gaming
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • BOXING LEGEND MANNY PACQUIAO LAUNCHES “MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS” IN THE UNITED STATES
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • BOOTS HUNTING THE BIG FISH AT 154LBS
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • IBA Unveils Historic 2025 IBA Men’s Elite World Championships as Part of a Spectacular Two-Week ‘Festival of Boxing’ in Dubai with Unprecedented $8 Million Prize Pool
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • Final Bell for 2025 USA Boxing National Open Event National Open Event Concludes with 1,870 Registered Participants in Tulsa, Oklahoma
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 15: JOE FRAZIER’S PROFESSIONAL CAREER
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • World Boxing relocates Congress 2025 to Rome
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Behind the WBC Boxing Grand Prix
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 01 Oct 2025
  • JOHANN CHUA BEGINS TITLE DEFENCE AGAINST IVICA PUTNIK AS DRAW CONFIRMED FOR 2025 HANOI OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
    , Wed, 01 Oct 2025
  • CUBAN FUTURE CHAMPIONS YOENLI HERNANDEZ, ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI & GUSTAVO TRUJILLO HEADLINE ‘FISTS OF FURY 8’
    , Wed, 01 Oct 2025
  • USA Boxing Finishes Canada Duel Undefeated
    , Wed, 01 Oct 2025
  • Dana White Seeks to Make Significant Changes in the World Boxing
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Oct 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 29 September 2025: Ferreira Retains IBF 135 Belt by Outpointing Moneo; Clavel Dethrones IBF 105 Champ Cudos
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 30 Sep 2025
  • Canelo Alvarez Facing Extended Layoff After Crawford Loss; Surgery Confirms Injury Rumors
    By Dong Secuya, , Tue, 30 Sep 2025
  • Dante Stone is last American standing in Inaugural WBC Grand Prix
    , Tue, 30 Sep 2025
  • Age Defying Triumph: At Age 50 Toshihiko Era Wins World Title
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 30 Sep 2025
  • TKO and Zuffa Boxing sign streaming agreement with Paramount
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 30 Sep 2025
  • Boxing Ephemera, Pacquiao’s Mouthguard, and the Meaning of It All
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 30 Sep 2025
  • A turning point for global sport: IBA President Umar Kremlev and Donald Trump Jr join forces
    , Mon, 29 Sep 2025
  • Rosia captures PBF super fly title
    , Mon, 29 Sep 2025
  • Tancontians starred 2025 Sports Heroes Night
    , Mon, 29 Sep 2025
  • “Thrilla” guest list
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 28 Sep 2025
  • Why Do So Many Boxers Play eGames?
    , Sun, 28 Sep 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.