MANILA—Keith Thurman could "still be a threat" in the ring, and that's something Manny Pacquao and his corner should be wary about, a fight expert said Saturday.
Ed Tolentino, in an interview with radio DZMM, said Thurman's punches are still potent even if his upcoming fight is only his second in 2 years.
Tolentino added that he sees "a good exchange of punches" in the Pacquiao-Thurman bout, which happens at MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Sunday (Manila time).
"Itong Thurman malakas ang kanan at malakas ang left hook. So this is why he is not just a sacrificial lamb," the analyst said.
According to Tolentino, Thurman's youth, size and power punches give the American champion a bit of an edge against Pacquiao, 40.
"He (Thurman) has power, hindi ito tulad ni Adrien Broner na napakadaling i-predict kasi ang alam natin tatakbo pa 'yang si Broner," Tolentino said.
Broner, Pacquiao's last opponent, lost via unanimous decision in January. Before that, Pacquiao won via technical knockout in his July 2018 bout against Argentinian Lucas Mathysse.
Thurman's last fight was against Josesito Lopez in 2019; his last ring date before that came in 2017, a nearly 2-year gap in between bouts.
source: news.abs-cbn.com
