After just falling short in his WBA welterweight title defense against Manny Pacquiao, American boxer Keith Thurman acknowledged that his long period of inactivity had been a factor in his performance.
Thurman established himself as one of the top names in the 147-pound class with big wins over Robert Guerrero, Shawn Porter, and Danny Garcia, but injuries among other issues forced him to be out of action for nearly two years.
After beating Garcia via split decision in March 2017, he did not fight again until January 2019, when he outpointed Josesito Lopez.
"We've seen champions' inactivity not favor them from time to time," Thurman said in the post-fight press conference, after he was on the losing end of a split decision against Pacquiao.
"But I just thought that I would be able to do some countering, utilize my jab from the outside, and really pressure him in the way that I did," he added. "Some of the things that I wanted to do, I was able to do."
Indeed, Thurman came oh-so-close to beating Pacquiao. He recovered well from a knockdown in the first round and controlled most of the middle rounds. He repeatedly landed his right straight, but a huge body blow by Pacquiao in the 10th round again had him reeling.
Ultimately, one of the three judges scored the bout in his favor, but the other two gave the fight to Pacquiao. It was Thurman's first loss in his professional boxing career.
"I knew I had the skills to be victorious in the ring," said Thurman. "But yeah, obviously, 22 months out of the ring… Josesito Lopez, and then Manny Pacquiao."
"I tried to stay active, but you know, maybe another fight in between would have helped," he admitted.
Now that he is back – and after fighting on pay-per-view for the very first time – Thurman is determined to stay active. He believes he proved a point against Pacquiao, even in a loss.
"I promised you guys that it will be one of the most exciting fights of the summer," he said. "Of course, I wanted to win the fight, I fell short, but it was a blessing, and a lesson because we gotta do a little bit more."
"I do know that I'm a true champion," he added. "Keith 'One Time' Thurman has always been a true champion. I will be back."
"You get knocked down, you gotta pick yourself back up. That's what champions do. Like I said, we'll be back."
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Keith Thurman landed more punches than Manny Pacquiao, 210-195, and was more efficient at hitting him in their world-title fight in Las Vegas on Sunday (Manila time), fight stats provided by CompuBox showed.
In all, Thurman landed 210 out of 571 punches for 36.8% efficiency, while Pacquiao connected on 195 out 686 punches (28.4%).
"I knew it was too close," Thurman said.
"He got the knockdown, so he had momentum in Round 1. I wish I had a little bit more output to go toe-to-toe. I felt like he was getting a little bit tired, but he did have experience in the ring.
"My conditioning and my output was just behind Manny Pacquiao's. I would love the rematch."
Pacquiao received a pair of 115-112 scores, while he lost 114-113 to one judge.
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Local fight analysts were surprised Manny Pacquiao had to settle for a split decision against Keith Thurman despite his dominance during their world welterweight title clash on Saturday in Las Vegas (Sunday Manila time).
This is why fight commentators Ed Tolentino and Danrex Tapdasan said it was crucial for Pacquiao to score at least one knockdown against the erstwhile unbeaten American.
Judge Dave Moretti and Tim Cheatham had it 115-112, while
Glen Feldman favored Thurman with 114-113.
"Buti na lang nakuha nu'ng dalawa ang tamang score," said Tolentino during DZMM's live telecast of the Pacquiao-Thurman bout.
"I really thought it should have been a unanimous decision. Lumalabas na importante pala na naka-knockdown si Manny Pacquiao dahil kung sakali nakasalba ng draw itong si Thurman."
Dapdasan, for his part, said that this unfairly puts a question mark on Pacquiao's victory over Thurman despite his dominating performance.
"Lumalabas pa tuloy in the books na naging questionable pa ang pagkapanalo niya dahil split decision," he said.
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Manny Pacquiao was the rightful winner over Keith Thurman in their world welterweight title fight in Las Vegas on Saturday (Sunday, Manila time), but the nature of Pacquiao's victory stoked some controversy.
In a fight Pacquiao clearly dominated, judges called it a split decision, which rankled those who saw the Filipino champion impose his will on Thurman from start to finish.
Even those on the TV crew in the American broadcast for the fight voiced their astonishment over the decision.
Judges Dave Moretti and Tim Cheatham each scored the bout 115-112, while judge Glenn Feldman had it 114-113.
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Thurman hopes for rematch
Keith Thurman accepted his split decision loss to Manny Pacquiao, citing that Manny Pacquiao was the better fighter in their WBA welterweight title fight in Las Vegas, on Saturday (Sunday Manila time).
"Pacquiao is a truly great, great legendary champion. He got the victory over me. I wish I had a little bit more output to go toe to toe. I felt that I was giving him a little bit time, but he did have experience in the ring," Thurman said after absorbing a decision loss from the Filipinoc champion.
Thurman had bragged in the leadup to the fight that he would do all sorts of things to Pacquiao inside the ring to force him to retire.
But it was clear from the onset that Pacquiao wasn't ready to hang it up yet, blitzing Thurman on a number of occasions and attacking him from all angles.
Pacquiao even floored Thurman in the first round, which made it clear to the American champion that he underestimated the Filipino boxing legend.
But unlike Adrien Broner who went on a bizarre rant following his unanimous decision loss to Pacquiao in January, Thurman was gracious in defeat.
"My conditioning, my output is just behind Manny Pacquiao. I would love a rematch. You gave blessing and lessons tonight, thank you Manny Pacquiao."
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MANILA, Philippines – A first round knockdown set the tone for Manny Pacquiao as he outpointed American boxer Keith Thurman in their highly anticipated WBA welterweight showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night (Sunday in Manila).
At 40 years old, the "Pacman" still displayed tremendous speed, punching power, and a tough chin en route to claiming a split decision over Thurman, a man 10 years younger.
One judge scored the bout 114-113 for Thurman, but the two other judges saw it in Pacquiao's favor, 115-112, giving the Filipino the victory – and the WBA welterweight championship in what was his 28th world title fight.
"He did his best, and I did my best, so the people are happy," said Pacquiao, who had his name chanted by the partisan MGM crowd all night long.
"Thurman . . . he did his best, he's not an easy opponent. He's a good boxer, he's strong, and I'm just blessed tonight," he added.
Pacquiao improved his record to 62 wins, with 7 losses and 2 draws. Thurman, meanwhile, lost for the first time in his professional career to drop to 29-1.
(More details to follow.)
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Looking at this graphic, it's easy to see why Manny Pacquiao enjoys an advantage when it comes to experience and why a younger Keith Thurman is considered as having the edge in terms of physique.
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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.
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MANILA—Manny Pacquiao and Keith Thurman made the weight early Saturday (Manila time) in Las Vegas, Nevada before they square off for the WBA welterweight showdown.
Both fighters stared intimidatingly at each other for half a minute after hitting the scales.
The 40-year-old Filipino ring icon, a multi-division world champion, came in at 146.5 pounds.
"It's gonna be a good fight cause I want to prove something. I'm so focus for this fight. I'm ready for tomorrow," Pacquiao said to the cheers of Filipino fans.
"I'm so prepared for this fight. This is I think one of my best training camp we had and best condition."
Meanwhile, the 30-year-old American fighter, who has tallied a 29-0 record, 22 via knockout, tipped the scales at 146.5 pounds.
"It is my time. This is one time and still champion 'bout tomorrow night. Manny Pacquiao ain't doing nothing to me baby," said Thurman who was booed loudly by the crowd.
Both fighters who are recognized by the WBA as world welterweight titleholders will battle in a 12-round title fight Sunday morning (Manila time) at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Hall-of-fame referee Joe Cortez is going all in with his forecast, favoring Manny Pacquiao to win by knockout when Pacquiao takes on Keith Thurman for the world welterweight championship in Las Vegas on Sunday morning (Manila time).
"Pacquiao is up in age, but he looked outstanding defeating Adrien Broner in January," Cortez said.
"If he fights the same way against Thurman, I have to go with Manny by a TKO win."
His comments were part of a panel of experts offering their fight prediction on ESPN.com's American website.
Cortez was the referee when Pacquiao bludgeoned South African world champion Lehlo Ledwaba to win the world super-bantamweight title in June 2001.
That was Pacquiao's first fight in the United States.
Cortez also officiated the first Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez clash, and the initial Pacquiao-Erik Morales tussle.
That Pacquiao-Marquez fight in 2004 ended in a split draw, while Morales beat Pacquiao the first time they fought in 2005.
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In just a few days, Manny Pacquiao will be going against Keith Thurman for the WBA welterweight championship. What are the Fighting Senator's chances? Migs Bustos breaks it down.
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World Boxing Association welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (left) and WBA welterweight super champion Keith Thurman pose during a news conference at MGM Grand Garden Arena on Wednesday in Las Vegas, Nevada. The two will meet in a WBA welterweight title fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena on July 21, Manila time.
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MANILA, Philippines – Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao guns for another win in a major boxing bout when he challenges Keith Thurman for the WBA (super) welterweight world title on July 21.
The bout, which will be at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, will be aired live via SKY Sports Pay-per-View.
Pacquiao, who holds the "regular" version of the WBA belt, faces an opponent 10 years his junior. It will be the Filipino legend's first fight since beating Adrien Broner last January for the first defense of the title that he won from Lucas Matthysse in 2017.
Pacquiao currently holds a boxing record of 61-7-2 with 39 wins coming via knockout.
On the other hand, Thurman – who is also known by the moniker "One Time" – is coming off a majority decision win over Josesito Lopez. He owns an unblemished record of 30-0-0, with 22 wins via knockout, and one no contest.
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NEW YORK -- Keith Thurman returned from a near two-year layoff to retain his World Boxing Association welterweight world title with a 12-round majority decision over Josesito Lopez on Saturday.
America's Thurman, showing no sign of rust, knocked down Lopez with a massive left hook to the chin in the second as he controlled the early rounds.
He weathered a storm in the middle rounds, with Lopez unleashing a fierce barrage in the seventh that had the champion in trouble.
Thurman was deemed the winner by two judges by scores off 115-111 and 117-109 with the third seeing it a 113-113 draw.
"The champ is back!" said Thurman, who was forced to surrender his World Boxing Council belt as he was idled by injury but retained his WBA "super" world title, one rung above the "regular" WBA belt held by Manny Pacquiao.
Thurman, who improved to 29-0 with 22 wins inside the distance, said he'd be ready to take on the Filipino ring icon before the year is out.
"Maybe Brooklyn, maybe Vegas, wherever Manny Pacquiao wants it," Thurman said. "I'd even fight him in the Philippines if I have to."
Thurman was fighting for the first time since edging Danny Garcia by split decision in March of 2017 to unify two 147-pound titles.
The next month he had surgery to remove calcium deposits from his right elbow, and as he was readying to return to the ring he suffered a left hand injury in March of 2018 that forced him to take more time off.
Nevertheless, he quickly took control against Lopez, moving well against the aggressive challenger and landing solid punches.
But Lopez had him on the run in the seventh, connecting with a huge left hook to Thurman's jaw and backing up the champion.
"He had me buzzed, he had me shaken up," Thurman admitted. "I was trying to stay on the outside. I just was a little off in my prediction of his long arms and the way that he was lunging in, willing to really swing and commit for the knockout. He was coming for me."
- 'World title performance' -
After another solid performance from Lopez in the eighth, Thurman regained control and said he'll only get better from here.
"I told everybody, you're not going to see the best Keith "One-time" Thurman after 22 months, but you will see a world title performance."
On the undercard, Polish-born, Brooklyn-based heavyweight Adam Kownacki remained unbeaten with a spectacular second-round technical knockout of former world title challenger Gerald Washington.
Kownacki improved to 19-0 with 15 wins inside the distance. He sent Washington to the canvas with a massive right hand in the second round. Washington beat the count, but the referee called the halt moments later -- at 1:09 of the second round -- as he failed to put up any defense under a barrage from Kownacki.
In a World Boxing Association featherweight eliminator, Mongolia's unbeaten Tugstsogt Nyambayar improved to 11-0 with nine knockouts with a unanimous 12-round decision over Claudio Marrero.
Nyambayar won by scores of 114-113, 115-112 and 116-111 as Marrero, who had a point deducted for a low blow, fell to 23-3 with 17 wins inside the distance.
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