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- July 21, 2019
- 5:52 am
Nearly a quarter-century into his legendary career, Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao isn’t done thrilling fans and winning world titles.
Far from it.
The 40-year-old Pacquiao out-dueled unbeaten champion Keith Thurman over 12 all-action rounds on Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena to capture the WBA title in a thrilling split decision. The instant classic saw two judges score the fight 115-112 for Pacquiao while the third had it 114-113 for Thurman. CBS Sports also scored it 114-113 for Thurman.
Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) recorded a knockdown in the opening round on a beautiful right hook that proved to be the difference as it helped him steal Round 1 and edge out Thurman (29-1, 22 KOs) in a fight-of-the-year contender that saw both fighters compete at an insane pace.
Despite the one-sided bad blood between them coming in and Pacquiao, boxing’s only eight-division world champion, vowing to make Thurman pay for saying he would retire and crucify him, both fighters showed tremendous respect for each other after the fight.
“I’m not the kind of boxer to be a talker, just promoting the fight,” Pacquiao said. “I think we did a lot off things [to promote the fight]. He did his best, and I did my best to make the people happy.”
How did Pacquiao’s knockdown of Thurman in the first round affect the rest of the fight?
Pacquiao HUGE knockdown | Thurman bloody nose | Pacquiao vs. Thurman Highlights
The highly anticipated bout between Manny Pacquiao and Keith Thurman on July 20, 2019, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas did not disappoint. The boxing legends went head-to-head in a match that had fans on the edge of their seats from the opening bell to the final round.
The match began with both fighters taking the measure of each other, with Thurman appearing to have the upper hand early on. However, the tide began to turn when Pacquiao landed a solid left hand that sent Thurman to the canvas in the first round. The knockdown sent shock waves through the arena as Pacquiao seized the momentum.
Throughout the fight, Pacquiao’s speed and precision proved too much for Thurman to handle, as the Filipino superstar dominated the bout. Thurman did manage to rally and win some rounds, but the damage had already been done, and he was unable to derail Pacquiao’s march to victory.
As the bout wore on, Thurman’s face began to show the damage of Pacquiao’s relentless assault, with blood streaming from his nose. Despite the punishment, Thurman refused to back down and continued to fight until the final bell.
In the end, it was Pacquiao who emerged victorious with a split-decision victory over Thurman. The win cemented his status as one of boxing’s all-time greats and earned him the WBA welterweight title.
The Pacquiao vs. Thurman fight was a masterclass in boxing and showcased the skills of two of the sport’s finest fighters. The knockdown, the bloody nose, and the fierce battle between the two legends will be remembered for years to come.
In conclusion, the Pacquiao vs. Thurman fight lived up to the hype and was one for the ages. It was a true testament to the skill, stamina, and heart of both fighters, and fans around the world are already eagerly anticipating the next time they step into the ring.
