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One Time Showdown! Thurman’s Redemption, or PacMan’s Magic Moment?
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Las Vegas, NV (July 20th, 2019)– Tom Brown’s TGB Promotions, Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions, USA Fox PPV, and Panama Telemetro Channel 13 present an exciting nine bout card of professional boxing action at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, featuring the 12 round main event bout between World Boxing Association Super World Welterweight champion Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman and regular World Boxing Association World Welterweight champion Manny PacMan Pacquiao. Both will finish the close bout standing. It might end in a draw.
Thurman, age 30, 29-0 with 23 knockouts, Clearwater, Florida, is facing the biggest name adversary in his career. The southpaw champion Pacquiao, age 40, 61-7-2 with 29 knockouts, General Santos City, Cotobato del Sur, Philippines, is older and wiser, with superior ring generalship, discipline, and an extremely dangerous level and range of experience. The bout may be the best 147 pound matchup since Sugar Ray Leonard versus Roberto ‘Hands of Stone’ Duran I went 15 rounds many years ago, and for sure Pacquiao is Duran’s reincarnation here id Pacquiao can take this super fight to the next level. Both fighters are likely to box cautiously yet skillfully, with Pacquiao more likely to take the chances and floor the gas pedal to see if Thurman’s defense has any holes. For certain Thurman will be unable to shake Pacquiao or keep him off of him, so like Floyd, Thurman will have to outbox the popular Pacquiao.
Knockdowns are unlikely in this highly technical affair. Thurman’s weakness is Pacquiao throws punches by volume. To win, Thurman must jab successfully while slipping Pacquiao’s relentless combination attacks, and hold where possible. The dilemma is Pacquiao is the busier fighter, and Thurman cannot afford to go behind on the punch count or the scorecards. A knockdown is unlikely in this bout, which has no champion’s edge as both fighters hold a part of the WBA world title at 147 pounds.
The bout is predicted to end in either a majority draw, or a majority decision favoring either Pacquiao or Thurman. The punch count, and punches landed, will tell the story. If Thurman fights off the ropes too much, Pacquiao will take advantage. Thurman’s ultimate key to success is to keep moving and keep punching while eluding Pacquiao’s deadly pursuits. If Thurman gets caught, the bout could swing Pacquiao’s way. Pacquiao will need to be pinpoint accurate and be in magnificent condition. The late rounds could be a battle of stamina and attrition, with Pacquiao unwilling to back off. Pacquiao has been more active than Thurman, for whom this is only his second bout in 16 months.
The game plans could vary here, and Thurman and Pacquiao will try to outthink each other in what could provide to ultimately be the fight of the year. If either fighter goers down, and the crowd senses blood, edge to that fighter from that point on. Thurman cannot afford to be sloppy against Pacquiao, but he will have to outwork him in a high paced punch volume bout, which remains to be seen to be believed. One way or the other, Pacquiao is not going down without a fight. The winner could get Terence Crawford, Errol Spence Jr., or even Floyd. Pacquiao could also get Danny Garcia or Shawn Porter (Pacquiao more so) if the others do not respond.
Undercard Bout Predictions
Omar Figueroa Jr. Win 12 Yordenis Ugas, Welterweights
Can 28-0-1 Figueroa win this step up bout? The odds say he can, but it won’t be easy.
Luis Nery Win 12 Juan Carlos Payano, Bantamweights
Nery defends the World Boxing Council Silver Bantamweight title
Caleb Plant TKO 11 or Win 12 Mike Lee
Plant defends International Boxing Federation World Super Middleweight title
Efe Ajagba TKO 6 or TKO 7 Ali Eren Demirizen, Heavyweights
Battle of unbeaten heavyweight prospects. Edge to Nigeria’s Ajagba.
Abel Ramos Win 8 Jimmy Williams, Welterweights
Genesis Libranza Win 8 Carlos Maldonado, Flyweights
John Leo Dato Win 8 Juan Antonio Lopez, Featherweights
Sergey Lipinets TKO 6 or Win 8 Jayar Inson, Welterweightsnews
Final Pacquiao vs. Thurman Quotes:
MANNY PACQUIAO
“Tomorrow night, class is in session. I hope Keith Thurman studied hard, because Professor Pacquiao gives very hard tests.”
KEITH THURMAN
“I’m ready. This is my time. It’s grind time and it’s show time. I’m planning on giving fans an incredible fight – one to be remembered.”
MANNY PACQUIAO INTERNATIONAL MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT & AUDIO RECORDING
Robert is the Head Boxing Correspondent for Real Combat Media Boxing since 2013. Robert is also a photographer and ringside reporter for the RCM Tri State region which includes NJ, NY and PA. Robert conducts exclusive interviews, provides historical boxing articles and provides editorial ringside coverage of major boxing events. You can contact or follow Robert on Facebook and by email at [email protected].
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