Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images
Manny Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) and Keith Thurman (29-1-1 NC, 22 KOs) turned in an instant classic last night (Sat., July 20, 2019) live on FOX PPV from inside MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, but it was Pacquiao who walked away with the split-decision win and the WBA (Super) welterweight championship.
Despite a 40-year-old body holding him together, Pacquiao looked like a spry 25-year-old eager to pick apart his opponent. “Pac-Man” started off quickly by utilizing his speed, footwork, and timing to land a big combination at the end of the first round that planted Thurman on the canvas. Pacquiao would use that momentum to really bust up Thurman over the next four rounds, which put “One Time” on notice entering the second half of this fight.
Thurman, who has fought just once over the past 28 months, started to come into his own in the seventh when he pushed Pacquiao back into the ropes with a hard combination. The welterweight champion followed his efforts up with a one-sided ninth round that pushed the momentum back his way. That was until Pacquiao landed a brutal body shot in the tenth that left Thurman in pain. He somehow survived, but needed a finish in the final frames to salvage this title fight.
Unfortunately for “One Time,” Pacquiao was ready to meet his last-second blitz with offense of his own. The 40-year-old legend landed more shots down the stretch including a nasty uppercut in the 12th round. In the end, it was “Pac-Man” who did enough on the scorecards to win this wild welterweight affair.
Check out the comprehensive highlights below:
.@MannyPacquiao with a massive body shot in the 10th!
Eight-division World Champion Manny Pacquiao faces World Champion Keith Thurman for WBA supremacy! BUY NOW: https://t.co/AeIXwbC2Dr pic.twitter.com/zkBRF3Uc2G
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) July 21, 2019
WBA Champ @keithfthurmanjr gettin’ loose in the 7th
Eight-division World Champion Manny Pacquiao faces World Champion Keith Thurman for WBA supremacy! BUY NOW: https://t.co/AeIXwbC2Dr pic.twitter.com/uGIXM2U0Ip
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) July 21, 2019
.@MannyPacquiao‘s feeling’ himself after 2 rounds pic.twitter.com/qNDOiVm7AE
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) July 21, 2019
Pacquiao knocks down Thurman #PacThurman pic.twitter.com/0RMZVLYwoS
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) July 21, 2019
Eight-Division World Champion @MannyPacquiao makes his way to the ring
Eight-division World Champion Manny Pacquiao faces World Champion Keith Thurman for WBA supremacy! BUY NOW: https://t.co/nFHxeroIyy pic.twitter.com/iWwn6uv0wS
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 21, 2019
Undefeated WBA Welterweight Champion @keithfthurmanjr’s in the house!
Eight-division World Champion Manny Pacquiao faces World Champion Keith Thurman for WBA supremacy! BUY NOW: https://t.co/AeIXwbC2Dr pic.twitter.com/gn3AUHiFFq
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) July 21, 2019
For complete ‘Pacquiao vs. Thurman’ results and coverage click here.