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

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

Matthysse on KO defeat to Pacquiao: It was my turn to lose

Gracious in defeat, Lucas Matthysse acknowledged that his fight against Manny Pacquiao was his to lose.

“Sometimes you win some, sometimes you lose some, it was my turn to lose,” said Matthysse through a translator after he lost the WBA World welterweight title Sunday at Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Matthysse (39-5) lost via technical knockout after referee Kenny Bayless stopped the fight 2:43 into the seventh round.


Pacquiao connected with a left uppercut that sent Matthysse to the canvas for the third time.

Matthysse, though, did not harbor any ill will after the fight and praised Pacquiao for his 60th win.

“He’s a great fighter and a great legend,” said Matthysse who dropped to 1-3 in World title fights. “I lost to a great fighter and a great legend.”

Matthysse first dropped to his back side midway through the third round after taking a couple of head shots from Pacquiao.

And in an unbelievable turn, he took to one knee five seconds left in the fifth round after absorbing a right cross to the temple.

“I lost, but I walk away with my head raised. I’m sorry to Argentina, but I’m fine. Thank you for all the love and support, and we’ll be seeing all my family and friends soon.”

source: sports.inquirer.net

Fallen Donaire vows to ‘come back and do better’

MANILA, Philippines — Like the other fallen boxing champions before him, Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. vowed Sunday a comeback.

Shortly after losing his WBO super bantamweight title to Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux by unanimous decision on Sunday (Manila time), Donaire took his thoughts to Twitter.

“I just want to thank God for keeping me safe, my guardian angels for protecting me, my Team for standing behind me, and my fans for their support,” he said in a tweet (@FilipinoFlash).

“I tried to give my all and push the fight but we’ll be back. I’ll come back and do better,” he added. “For now, I congratulate Rigondeaux.”

Donaire managed to rock the former two-time Olympic gold medalist, sending him to the canvas in the 10th round — the only knockdown of the fight. But Rigondeaux was able to recover quickly.

The judges all scored in favor of Rigondeaux, 114-113, 115-112, 116-111, paving way for the WBO/WBA super bantamweight division unification.

The Filipino champion, who protected his swollen right eye in the 12th round, saw his 12-year, 30-fight winning streak halted.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Donaire, Rigondeaux make weight for unification bout in New York

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino bet Nonito  Donaire Jr. and Guillermo Rigondeaux made weight Saturday morning (Manila time) for their WBO and WBA super bantamweight unification bout set on Sunday.

Donaire tipped the scales at 121.6 pounds while Rigondeaux at 121.5, both under the 122-pound limit. The two champions clash before an expected sell-out crowd at the Radio City Music Hall in New York.

Donaire (31-1, 20 KOs), voted Fighter of the Year for 2012, tries to add the WBA crown of Cuban Rigondeaux (11-0, 8 KOs), a two-time Olympic gold medalist.

source: sports.inquirer.net