CAN MANNY PACQUIAO DEFEAT KEITH THURMAN?

CAN MANNY PACQUIAO DEFEAT KEITH THURMAN?

By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent

It will be welterweight champion versus welterweight champion on Saturday night, July 20, 2019, when Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao faces Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman for the bragging rights of the welterweight division. The winner might get to fight Errol Spence Jr., so much is at stake here. Pacquiao, if he wins, could also fighter another paper champion, Shawn Porter, who Thurman has already beaten.


Thurman, 29-0 with 22 knockouts, age 30, Clearwater, Florida, the World Boxing Association Super World Super Welterweight champion, and Pacquiao, 61-7-2 with 39 knockouts, age 40, General Santos City, Philippines, the World Boxing Association World Welterweight champion regular titleholder, will go at for 12 rounds and the bragging rights of the 147 pound division.


Thurman is an orthodox stance fighter, while Pacquiao is a southpaw. Thurman holds a two-inch height and two-inch reach advantage. However, Pacquiao comes forward aggressively with relentless pressure. Pacquiao’s punch count volume could spell trouble for Thurman, a slow starter who sometimes gets caught on the ropes in a defensive posture. Thurman has power, though. Pacquiao is still sharp in his game, and barring the sort of carelessness Pacquiao displayed against Juan Manuel Marquez, this could be an interesting tactical war. Knockdowns in a close bout could affect scoring. To win, Thurman will have to outpunch and outwork Pacquiao and stop him. A decision is very drawish, and Pacquiao versus Thurman is predicted to end in a 12 round majority draw, or a split or majority decision for one of the two combatants in event of a knockdown.


Manny Pacquiao Promotions and Tom Brown’s TGB Promotions are promoting the six-bout card on USA Fox Pay Per View. The card will also feature 18-0 International Boxing Federation World Super Middleweight champion Caleb Plant of Henderson, Nevada defending his title against 21-0 challenger Mike Lee of Chicago, Illinois. Plant is expected to win by unanimous decision or late round stoppage ninth round or later. 28-0-1 welterweight prospect Omar Figueroa Jr. of Weslaco, Texas will also be featured in a 12 rounder against 23-4 former world title challenger Yordenis Ugas of Miami, Florida by way of Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. Figueroa is favored to win by 12 round split decision.

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Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent

Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent

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].