By Geno McGahee
The Filipino legend, Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao, 61-7-2, 39 KO’s, has agreed to face off against WBA Kingpin, Keith “One Time” Thurman, 29-0, 22 KO’s, in a pay per view set for July 20th. Coming off his dominant performance against the non-performing, Adrien Broner, the PacMan has decided to step it up, but it’s a calculated risk.
Thurman, although a big puncher, has gone the distance in 5 of his last 6 fights and has not been overly impressive or dominant. If you’re only as good as your last fight, Manny should win this one easily, as Thurman barely overcame Josesito Lopez. That was probably the fight that made this bout so logical for team Pacquiao. If Thurman has already slipped in skills or reflexes, he could be easily outworked and lose a wide decision to the Filipino icon, but there is another possibility.
Pacquiao is 40 years old and has convinced a lot of the fans that the old PacMan is back with his dominant wins over Lucas Mathysse and Broner, but the fight before those two wins was a terrible outing against the mediocre Jeff Horn. Many were calling for the PacMan to hang them up, but, to his credit, he has come back well and if Thurman is motivated and at his best, it will be a very tall order for Pacquiao to overcome.
In this upcoming fight, anything can happen and I can see why Pacquiao would take the fight. Luis Collazo, a good fighter without much power, hurt Thurman badly with a body shot. Lopez found success out-boxing him. It’s fair to say that Manny, even at this stage, is far better than both of them, and if he comes in as he did with Broner, he may even be the favorite in this bout, but if Thurman can muster the ambition and focus he used to have, this could be a nightmare for the 40 year old PacMan.
Boxing has very few big star attractions and Manny is still one of them and win or lose, this will be one to see. I can’t imagine him having many fights left. I think the only one I wouldn’t pay for is Manny-Mayweather JR 2. I already lost 100 bucks on that.
