This Saturday night Manny Pacquiao and Keith Thurman will step into a boxing ring to face
one another. In a fight billed as welterweight supremacy,
we can expect to see the best the sport can offer.
In one corner lies two decades of experience, 12 world championship belts in 8 different
weight divisions, the backing support of a nation in the name
of Manny Pac-Man Pacquiao.
In the other lies an undefeated world champion hungry for the claim to fame in the name of
Keith One-Time Thurman.
The build up has set high anticipation for the Fox pay-per-view event with fans squabbling
over choosing a winner.
The build up has presented Thurman a podium to voice his presence, but an unfazed Manny
Pacquiao has walked this path before.
Before they come face to face, here on The Fight Game we take a look inside the story
of their showdown. This is Manny Pacquiao versus Keith Thurman,
Tale of the Tape.
In the department of experience, Pacquiao certainly takes the advantage. In the build
up we've seen Pacquiao often refer to the fact that he's already faced the likes
of Keith Thurman. Thurman has been outspoken as was expected, while Pacquiao
decides to leave his fists do the talking come fight night.
Age could play a major factor as Pacquiao is now 40 years old, most fighters begin to
decline after age 35, and while he attempts to turn back the clock
it may turn out to be too much of an ask. But if there was anyone ever to
win at the top level at 40 years old, it would have to be a legend like Manny Pacquiao.
Where Thurman lacks in experience he makes up for in youth and physicality. At 30 years
old Thurman appears to be in his physical prime, training for this fight
has been taken very seriously with not one but two strength and conditioning
coaches. While Thurman is expected to box cautiously he will be prepared if he's to
be dragged into a war by Pacquiao.
Pacquiao fights out of the southpaw stance, where Thurman opposes as orthodox.
Both fighters hold power that's to be respected, with 39 knockouts Pacquiao is no stranger
to subduing his opponents to the mat, as neither is Thurman. Pacquiao's
trainer Freddie Roach has brought back the body protector into training
to re-ignite that killer instinct.
Pacquiao still sports that world-renowned lightning-fast hand-speed, a speed of such
Thurman has never faced before. Pacquiao will be the best opponent Thurman
has ever faced and if he becomes victorious this Saturday night he will
become one of the sports biggest names.
Thurman takes the height and reach advantage, however Pacquiao is not discouraged as he's
made a habit of beating guys bigger the size of himself.
The bout will be contested at 147 poumds, with no significant drug testing.
You can make a case for either fighter, but as per the old cliche, styles makes fights.
Who do you think will win? Make sure to comment your prediction below.
Power exists where speed and strength intersect, as will history exist where both these men
interchange blows. For Pacquaio it would seem he is about to
take on the perfect opponent, confident in his prediction Keith One-Time
Thurman takes on All-Time Great Pacquiao. Pacquiao's legacy is set in stone, but Thurman's
has yet to barely begin. It's a classical matchup between a young gun,
and an old great.
For Pacquiao to win, he must do as he's always done, and for Thurman to win, he must do as
he's never done before. Thurmans proclamations serve only as noise
if it's not to be a deep conviction, come Saturday night the truth will prevail.
Will Thurman send Pacquiao out the door in a passing of the torch event, or will things
remain as they've always been...
Find out this Saturday night, July 20th, Live on Fox pay-per-view.
Also if you haven't already, make sure you're subscribed to The Fight Game for future videos
like this.