Manny Pacquiao Set To Take On Keith Thurman In This Summer’s Biggest Bout

Keith Urman is looking to possibly close the book on his opponent’s illustrious and legendary story, (29-0, 22 KOs) and awaits a chance to snatch the WBA World Welterweight Title during his highly anticipated meeting with Manny Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 KOs) this Friday night.

The two fighters are ready to put on a show that lives up to its hype for boxing fans across the globe.

Despite his world–wide fame and constant need to expand his trophy case, Pacquiao turned 40 this year. Throughout his career, Pacquiao’s exceptional hand speed and reflexes allowed him ascend as an all–time great boxer. However, with his age reaching higher numbers, Pacquiao’s skills appear destined to deteriorate sooner rather than later. Thurman, a fighter ten years younger than Pacquiao, now appears as a possible candidate to usher in Pacquiao’s retirement.

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Despite the noise his growing age continues to generate, Pacquiao remains a top pound–for–pound boxer. The champ portrayed his ability to still attack with quick combinations and enough speed to seemingly overlap his opponent, winning by unanimous decision during his last fight sixth months ago. The victory quickly dismissed ongoing beliefs regarding Pacquiao’s physical regression, similar to the rumors surrounding him right now. Pacquiao grabs an advantage when taking into account each fighter’s vigor, as Thurman spent two years recovering from a right elbow surgery that omitted him from any fights from 2017 until this year.

“My speed and power will speak for itself. He may underestimate me now, but he’ll talk differently once he’s in the ring with me,” said Pacquiao when commenting on his opponent.

With 22 knockouts in 29 fights, Thurman’s power punches obviously appear as his primary tool going into the fight. This skill likely comes due to Thurman’s extensive reach and height. Pacquiao last measured out at 5-foot-5 and a 67-inch reach, while Thurman stretched out to 5-foot-7 with a 69-inch reach, poising to tower over his opponent once the two step into the ring. Look for Thurman to go for a knockout rather than attain a victory by decision or by attempting to force a toe–to–toe style fight, which limits Pacquiao’s quick attacks and instead favors his ability to throw crushing blows and overpower his opponent.

Thurman also offered some trash talk ahead the fight as he simply stated, “I’m a real fighter, and Manny Pacquiao is going to get a piece of it.”

The bell will ignite this war with the undercard fights kicking things offs at 9 p.m. EST on July 20. The fight remains available for purchase on Fox Sports Pay Per View.