Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images
Now with a blemish of defeat on his record, Keith Thurman speaks about his loss to Manny Pacquiao on Saturday night.
After keeping an undefeated record his entire professional career, Keith Thurman was dealt with his first loss by Manny Pacquiao on Saturday. “One Time” also dropped the WBA welterweight title to the eight-division world champion.
Thurman was dropped in the first round and was outworked by the Filipino boxing icon throughout the succeeding 11 rounds, leading to a split decision verdict. During a post-fight interview, he also admitted being affected by one of Pacquiao’s body shots.
Fresh of his first professional loss, @keithfthurmanjr breaks down his performance against Pacquiao, and what’s next for the former champ. pic.twitter.com/qN7M7IiNCz
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) July 21, 2019
“The body shot was a terrific body shot. I even took my mouthpiece out of my mouth just so I could breathe a little deeper,” he said. “We stayed on our feet, we kept fighting. It was very unexpected once again.
“That’s why my name is ‘One Time.’ It’s always those one punches in a round that really can change the pace of a round. One time isn’t just something I do; One Time is something that could happen to me. I got a few more times than one time, maybe about two good shots in this fight.
“I tried to retaliate, but Manny held his composure,” he added. “I know that I got his respect in the ring, but he held his composure well, he held his hands up well, and he’s just a more relaxed fighter with all the experience he’s had nowadays.”
Now that he’s experienced defeat for the first time, Thurman says he will reassess his next move. But he is not turning down the idea of a rematch, as he had nothing but respect and congratulatory words for Pacquiao.
I’ve always said I’m not afraid to let my 0 go, if you can beat me — beat me. @MannyPacquiao beat me tonight. Hats off to the Senator on a great performance. #OneTime #PacThurman pic.twitter.com/piX4A6lUOA
— Keith Thurman Jr. (@keithfthurmanjr) July 21, 2019
“We’ll have to see what kind of offers I get,” he said. “If the fans would like to see a rematch, if Manny Pacquiao wants to see a rematch (or) if Manny Pacquiao is moving on to fight other welterweights in the welterweight division. We have a small suspension from Nevada, but nothing that will keep me out of the ring for long. So at the end of the day, we just have to go back to the drawing board.
“I have an 0, I’m not afraid to let it go. If you can beat me, beat me. Manny Pacquiao beat me tonight.”
Thurman now holds a record of 29-1 (with 1 NC and 22 wins by knockout).