Punch stats: Pacquiao lands fewer punches than Thurman in tough win

MANILA, Philippines—Manny Pacquiao’s split decision victory over a tough Keith Thurman for the WBA super world welterweight title saw him absorb more punches than he landed.

According to the punch stats released by Compubox, the Filipino boxing champion connected on fewer punches than Thurman, 210-195, but it was still the Pacquiao, showing no signs of slowing down at 40, who was the more effective of the two and landed the harder hits.


Pacquiao knocked Thurman down with a right hook in the first round proving that he still holds power despite using his non-dominant hand.

The Filipino, who came out the busier fighter with 57 thrown per round compared to Thurman’s 48, also delivered a liver blow in the 10th that nearly prompted referee Kenny Bayless to stop the fight.

Thurman, though, backed up all his tough talk heading into the fight and gave Pacquiao all he could handle, making history with his landed power punches.

Compubox said that Thurman’s 192 is the most punches landed of any of Pacquiao’s opponents in the past 43 fights tracked by organization.

Pacquiao, a known power puncher, was able to utilize his jab effectively despite a two-inch reach disadvantage, 67 inches to Thurman’s 69, with an 82-18 advantage.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Manny Pacquiao, Keith Thurman make weight ahead of welterweight clash

LAS VEGAS—Manny Pacquiao and Keith Thurman made weight Friday ahead of their welterweight world title fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Both Pacquiao and Thurman, the WBA (Super) champion, hit the scales at 146.5 pounds for their showdown on Saturday night.

“It’s my time. This is “One Time” and still champion by tomorrow night,” Thurman said during the official weigh-in. Manny Pacquiao ain’t doing nothing to me baby.”

“It’s gonna be a good fight because I wanna prove something and I’m so focused for this fight,” said the 40-year-old Pacquiao, who is looking to turn back the clock again as he appears in his 71st professional fight.

The weigh-in was open to the public and Filipino fans made sure to make their presence felt, waving the Philippine flag and cheering wildly every time the eight-division champion’s name was mentioned.

The boxing stars such as Errol Spence Jr., Shawn Porter, Mikey Garcia, Danny Garcia and Nonito Donaire Jr. were also in attendance as well as Pacquiao’s family including his wife Jinkee and mom Dionisia.

The undefeated Spence, who is the reigning IBF welterweight champion, and Porter, the current WBC titleholder, are scheduled in a clash of their own on September 28 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

The winner between the two could potentially meet the victor of the Pacquiao-Thurman bout.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Thurman says ready to ‘crucify’ Pacquiao

BEVERLY HILLS, United States – Keith Thurman vowed to retire Philippine boxing legend Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday as the two fighters traded verbal jabs ahead of the World Boxing Association battle for welterweight supremacy.

The undefeated Thurman, 30, takes on Pacquiao in Las Vegas on July 20 in a contest that pits the WBA’s “super world champion” against the body’s secondary “world” champion.

Thurman (29-0, with 22 knockouts) returned from a near two-year layoff to retain his title with a 12-round majority decision over Josesito Lopez on January 26.

Eight-division champion Pacquiao, who last fought in a one-sided demolition of Adrien Broner in January, is 10 years older than his American opponent.

And as the two men came face to face at a press conference in Beverly Hills on Wednesday, Thurman vowed to make the age difference count.

“Pacquiao’s last fight, Pacquiao’s last fight,” Thurman said, while pledging to “dismantle” the 40-year-old Filipino icon.

“I’m destroying the legend of Manny Pacquiao,” Thurman said. “His legacy ends on July 20. He’s had a wonderful career, and been an inspiration. We all love him and respect him. And I’m respectfully going to kick the shit out of him.

“This is a big fight as far as the stage. But it’s a big fight against a little guy. I’ve dismantled veterans in the past, and throughout my career. I would have destroyed him five years ago.

“He’s never fought a fighter like me with the lateral movement, speed, power. He’s never fought anyone this young, strong and hungry and I’m coming for him.

“I know he likes to quote Bible verses so I’ll let you know — he’s getting crucified.”

Pacquiao, who mixes a political career as a senator in the Philippines with professional boxing, laughed off Thurman’s threats of annihilation.

“All I can say is that most of my opponents say things before a fight,” Pacquiao said. “That’s what I hear from them – ‘I’m easy to beat’. But when we get into the ring it changes. We’ll see who’s young in the ring on July 20.

“I don’t like trash-talking before a fight. I’m going to let my fists do the talking.”

Pacquiao plans to split his training camp between the Philippines and Los Angeles, wrapping up his preparations under the watchful eye of long-time trainer Freddie Roach, who is back in his corner.

“Manny Pacquiao is the best fighter in the world to work with,” Roach said Wednesday. “His work ethic is unbelievable. We’ve studied Thurman and come up with a game plan. And we’re going to destroy him.”

Pacquiao meanwhile insisted that his advancing years had not diminished his enthusiasm or energy for boxing.

“At age 40, I feel like I’m 29,” he said. “This is fun. I’m enjoying it. I’m excited to go back to the Philippines and go straight back to the gym.” /cbb

source: sports.inquirer.net